Women's Champions League | Group Stage

Oct 9, 2024 at 8pm UK

Moi Stadium

Man City vs Barcelona

Match preview

It looks like Man City are set to make their first group-stage appearance after not quite making it in the qualifiers in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

The Women's Super League club had an easy time in this season's qualifying draw, beating the French side Paris FC 8-0 on aggregate.

A 5-0 win in France and a 3-0 victory in the home leg have helped Man City get off to an unbeaten start to the 2024-25 season.

In the WSL, Man City played out a 2-2 draw against Arsenal, before recording home victories over Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United to move to the top of the standings.

The Citizens are now preparing to compete in the Women's Champions League main draw for the first time since losing 4-2 to Barcelona in the 2020-21 quarter-finals, back when the competition was using a straight knockout format.

It's been three years since Man City were last in the Champions League, and they know they'll have to work hard to beat the three-time European champions. But they can take confidence from the fact they've won all three of their competitive home games this season without conceding.

Barcelona are aiming to keep up their winning streak in European football after taking home the Women's Champions League trophy in three of the last four seasons.

In May, Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas each scored a goal to help their team beat Lyon, the all-time record winners, 2-0 in the final.

After winning the Women's Champions League two years in a row, Barcelona are now preparing to enter their first European campaign under Pere Romeu, who stepped up from his role as assistant to take over the reins following Jonatan Giraldez's departure at the end of last season.

Romeu has made a great start to his tenure, with the team winning five consecutive Liga F games, including two impressive wins in their last two matches.

The Blaugrana had an easy time of it on 28 September, beating Granada 10-1. Then on Saturday they came from behind to beat Madrid CFF 8-1, scoring eight goals in the second half.

Barcelona will be looking to keep up their impressive scoring streak when they head to Manchester on Wednesday. They're aiming to extend their eight-game unbeaten streak in Women's Champions League away games.

Recent Performance

Manchester City Women Women's Champions League form:WW

Manchester City Women form (all competitions):WWDWWW

Barcelona Women form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Possible Squad changes

Man City are without Sandy MacIver and Risa Shimizu, who are both still recovering from anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Jess Park wasn't risked against West Ham because of a foot issue, but she should be good to go for Wednesday's game.

Gareth Taylor is likely to recall Vivianne Miedema, Aoba Fujino and Khadija Shaw after rotating his squad at the weekend.

The visitors are likely to be without former Man City goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck and Spain international Salma Paralluelo.

Barcelona will be hoping that 2023 Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati will be available for selection after she missed the win over Madrid CFF due to an injury.

After making some changes for the 8-1 win, Romeu is set to bring back Ona Batlle, Mapi Leon, Fridolina Rolfo, Alexia Putellas and Claudia Pina.

Possible starting lineups

Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:

Yamashita; Casparij, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Ouahabi; Park, Hasegawa, Miedema; Fujino, Hemp, Shaw

Barcelona Women possible starting lineup:

Coll; Batlle, Engen, Leon, Rolfo; Bonmati, Walsh, Putellas; Graham, Pina, Pajor