The league phase of the Women's Champions League campaign is set to begin on Tuesday, with a sense of unpredictability surrounding the competition. Reigning champions Barcelona, who have secured four titles in six years and reached six European finals consecutively, have experienced significant squad changes over the summer.
Four players who started in last season's final victory have departed, including Ona Batlle, who joined Arsenal, and Salma Paralluelo, who moved to OL Lyonnes. Alexia Putellas and Mapi León have also left for London City Lionesses. Despite these changes, Barcelona still possess a strong squad, featuring three-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, though she is a doubt for their opening match against Paris FC due to injury.
OL Lyonnes, eight-time winners of the competition, are looking to reclaim the title they last won in 2022. They have strengthened their team with the additions of Salma Paralluelo and Scotland midfielder Caroline Weir. English sides Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City are also expected to mount significant challenges, with Arsenal having strengthened their squad depth with arrivals including Georgia Stanway and Ona Batlle.
Manchester City, the English domestic champions, will be aiming to make an impact after missing out on the competition last season and not reaching the semi-finals since 2017-18. Chelsea, who were finalists in 2021, will be hoping to reach this season's final in Warsaw. Real Madrid have also boosted their attacking options with the signing of Felicia Schröder.
The 18-team league phase will run until 16 December. The top four teams will advance directly to the quarter-finals in March, while teams ranked fifth to 12th will compete in a knockout-phase playoff in February.