Man City vs Barcelona LIVE: Women's Champions League latest ...
(Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Manchester City take on FC Barcelona in their Women’s Champions League group stage opener in what we be a difficult and testing encounter against the reigning champions.
Gareth Taylor’s side came through qualifying to reach this stage of the tournament and impressed with a superb 8-0 aggregate win over Paris FC. They won the first leg 5-0 away from home with Vivianne Mediema, Jess Park, Mary Fowler and Chloe Kelly all on the scoresheet before an equally comfortable 3-0 victory at the Joie Stadium back in September.
City have been drawn against Barca, Swedish side Hammarby and Austria’s St Polten in Group D, with the most demanding of those fixtures first up. A win against Barcelona will put them in pole position to qualify for the knockout rounds. But it won’t be easy, Barcelona have made an incredible start to their domestic campaign, with five wins and 25 goals across their first five games meaning things will be tough for City tonight.
Follow all the Women’s Champions League action with our live blog below, following the conclusion of Bayern v Arsenal:
Kick-off at 8pm in Women’s Champions League
Man City XI: Yamashita, Layzell, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Miedema, Fowler, Hemp, Park, Casparij, Shaw, Hasegawa
Bacelona XI: Coll, Maria Leon, Graham, Alexia, Patri, Aitana, Rolfo, Pajor, Walsh, O. Battle, Engen
17’ - Woodwork! Shaw opens up Barcelona and the cross is lashed against the post by Hemp
GOAL! 36’ - Layzell puts City ahead from close range after a corner (1-0)
70’ - Man City 1-0 Barcelona21:29 , Karl Matchett
Going to be a long 25 minutes at this rate for Man City - they’ve not been out of their half of the pitch for a while now. Perhaps changes will be afoot for them soon too. Barcelona just being patient probing, pushing a little more and definitely in control in this half. No equaliser yet though.
Keira Walsh is the latest to try her luck but it’s straight at the keeper and saved.
66’ - Man City 1-0 Barcelona21:25 , Karl Matchett
Greenwood does well now to close out another push forward from Barcelona, then Hemp stops the ball from going for a corner.
Pina, just on the pitch, lines one up from 20 yards and pings it towards the top corner - just a yard wide!
62’ - Man City 1-0 Barcelona21:23 , Karl Matchett
City playing themselves into a bit of trouble more than once and Yamashita perhaps again gets lucky that there’s not much more than a corner after her hesitancy.
Pina on for Engen in Barcelona’s first change.
58’ - Man City 1-0 Barcelona21:18 , Karl Matchett
This is really the first spell of pressure that Barcelona have kept up all night - Putellas and Rolfo win a corner between them, Graham Hansen over to take it. City just needing a pause here, clear their lines and rebuild again in slower fashion perhaps. They have put a lot of effort into this first hour of the game.
Shaw clears the corner, then slips on the edgeof the box and Bonmati shoots - saved low down by Yamashita.
54’ - Man City 1-0 Barcelona21:14 , Karl Matchett
Bonmati and Graham Hansen now combine down the right channel and it’s pulled across to Alexia Putellas - she thinks she’s finding the corner of the net but again Aleixandri is there to fly in with a brilliant block!
First real chance of the half for the visitors.
50’ - Man City 1-0 Barcelona21:12 , Karl Matchett
City have continued the same way they played in the first 45 - on the front foot, aggressive, quick to close down Barcelona and really pushing for chances on goal themselves.
A second goal here tonight would be no more than they deserve, but they have spurned plenty of chances already to do so.
46' - Man City 1-0 Barcelona21:07 , Karl Matchett
Back underway in Manchester. City are straight on the front foot and Graham Hansen is immediately booked for tripping Casparij as she looks to break into the box. Greenwood is over the free-kick and curls it in...and with three blue shirts racing in, Miedema glances a header wide!
That should be buried - Shaw was behind her but even Miedema should have scored.
Harder scores hat-trick as Bayern thrash Arsenal in UWCL opener21:05 , Karl Matchett
A hat-trick from former Chelsea forward Pernille Harder consigned Arsenal to a 5-2 defeat at Bayern Munich on their Champions League group stage return.
Arsenal were knocked out in qualifying by Paris FC last year but, after they navigated fixtures with Rangers, Rosenborg and a two-legged round with Hacken, the Women’s Super League outfit were unable to claim any points from their Group C opener.
Mariona Caldentey put Jonas Eidevall’s Gunners ahead in Munich after 30 minutes but, while Laia Codina made it 2-2 in the 56th minute, Harder ended her European goal drought for Bayern with three goals in the final 17 minutes to fire the hosts to an impressive victory.
Harder scores hat-trick as Bayern thrash Arsenal in Women’s Champions League
HT - Man City 1-0 Barcelona20:49 , Karl Matchett
There’s the whistle - a huge cheer goes up. Layzell’s close-range finish the difference against the reigning Women’s Champions League holders.
(Getty Images)
45’ - Man City 1-0 Barcelona20:48 , Karl Matchett
Two minutes added on. Fowler lines up a shot from range but skies it - that’ll just about see us through to the interval. A tremendous half from City.
44’ - Man City 1-0 Barcelona20:44 , Karl Matchett
Graham Hansen has a first real opportunity to run through and get a shot away - but it’s a weak one and easily saved in the end. Very unlike Barcelona to have had such minimal impact in the final third.
City do then give the ball away trying to play out and they are fortunate to see the offside flag go up. Not the moment to gift an equaliser.
40’ - Man City 1-0 Barcelona20:41 , Karl Matchett
Miedema very nearly opens up enough space to make it 2-0 but Leon makes another formidable block, with Shaw needing some treatment soon after.
Back up and on we go - half-time pretty close now after a great first spell for City.
GOAL! 36’ - Man City 1-0 Barcelona20:38 , Karl Matchett
There’s the opener! Coll, from saving that last chance in brilliant fashion, has absolutely missed everything as she goes to collect the corner which flies to the far post - it’s nodded back across to the goal mouth and Naomi Layzell is there to fly in with a half-shot, half-challenge, wins the ball and prods it over the line!
20:37 , Karl Matchett
Massive save from Coll! Another flowing move down the left, Miedema rolls the ball into the path of Park who makes great connection with the shot - and Coll goes flying to her right with a massive palm away!
32’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona20:34 , Karl Matchett
Shaw surges off down the left this time and is hauled down by Leon - yellow card for the Barcelona defender, once she finishes sitting on the floor protesting that she should have had the foul herself.
Nothing comes of the set piece, but it’s another chink in the armour, another positive for City to take that they can do real damage to Barcelona tonight.
28’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona20:30 , Karl Matchett
City still on the front foot at every opportunity, Hemp stretching play down the left and Fowler working hard on the right. Barcelona certainly having more chances to push on themselves, but not with any sustained measure and nothing to really trouble City’s back line either.
Just approaching the half-hour mark and it’s seven shots to three in City’s favour, but no efforts on target from them yet.
24’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona20:24 , Karl Matchett
Another through ball here from Layzell and Shaw is trying to speed in behind the defence - but this time the offside flag is up. City looking early at every opportunity to go behind the Barca back line. Now it’s a cross from Casparij who gets forward from left-back and Shaw leaps, but totally misses her contact with the ball.
City keep coming though and Hemp’s delivery again finds Shaw, but the header is soft and bouncing down to Coll.
20’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona20:21 , Karl Matchett
What a block! Terrible error as Yamashita comes out, gets nowhere near the ball and it’s an open goal for Pajor it seems...until Aleixandri comes flying in from nowhere and slides the ball away! Tremendous recovery to keep the scores level.
What a start to this game!
18’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona20:18 , Karl Matchett
So close to an opener! Shaw beats her marker again down the right channel and this time takes her time before pulling the ball across the six-yard box, finding Hemp...and she blazes her effort past Coll and against the post!
City should be ahead, no question. Shaw giving the Barcelona defence all sorts of issues so far. Still 0-0 though!
16’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona20:16 , Karl Matchett
Putellas with a great first touch to take a bouncing ball and line up a half-volley from the edge of the box - well held by Yamashita.
Up the other end Shaw powers her way past two defenders and produces a cutback for Miedema, but two Barcelona bodies go flying in to block both that shot and the attempt on the rebound.
As Putellas then tries to break out down the left, Aleixandri chops her down - easy yellow card.
12’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona20:13 , Karl Matchett
Cata Coll, cool as you like! She’s two yards from her own goalline, Park is closing her down at pace...and the Barcelona keeper just drags the ball back, turns away and passes out before Shaw could follow in too.
Plenty of shouts of excitement from City fans but the keeper was clearly never worried!
Hemp then barges Batlle off the ball in the box and is appalled the decision goes against her.
8’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona20:09 , Karl Matchett
Two big openings for Man City - Barcelona having to stand firm now! Shaw is in and just needs a good first touch to get a shot away, but hesitates and is crowded out. Then Park lines up an absolute howitzer from outside the box and it’s a really good block from Leon to clear the danger.
Positive start for City though, certainly not happy to sit back and cling on from the outset.
4’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona20:06 , Karl Matchett
Graham Hansen looks to get on the end of a big chance in the opening stages - she wants a corner but it’s not forthcoming.
Man City get their early warning.
Fowler tries to set Shaw away, but the pass is way too far in front and rolls through to Coll.
1’ - Man City 0-0 Barcelona20:04 , Karl Matchett
Underway! Barcelona immediately in possession and moving the ball around - City very much straight in their faces.
Man City v Barcelona - latest updates19:52 , Karl Matchett
Right, game No.2 - City against the holders Barcelona. A reminder of the teams:
Man City XI: Yamashita, Layzell, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Miedema, Fowler, Hemp, Park, Casparij, Shaw, Hasegawa
Bacelona XI: Coll, Maria Leon, Graham, Alexia, Patri, Aitana, Rolfo, Pajor, Walsh, O. Battle, Engen
FT - Bayern Munich 5-2 Arsenal19:48 , Karl Matchett
Report and reaction from Arsenal’s defeat to come later on - for now we’re straight over to the next Champions League big match, with Manchester City hosting reigning champions Barcelona.
Lots of action to come, stay tuned!
FT - Bayern Munich 5-2 Arsenal19:44 , Karl Matchett
A bit of a drubbing in the end for Arsenal - they were solid in the first half but once Bayern turned up the heat after the restart, there was simply no living with them.
Even so, those three goals scored by Pernille Harder to wrap up Bayern’s victory will cause Jonas Eidevall some consternation - free and unmarked, two, five and ten yards out, to score a hat-trick in the Champions League. Not great.
Still, there are five matches ahead and Arsenal will expect a response, particularly back in the WSL next weekend following the goalless draw with Everton.
(REUTERS)
89’ - Bayern 5-2 Arsenal19:39 , Karl Matchett
Some frustrated Arsenal faces out there now as the match winds down. Bayern finally sitting off having inflicted quite enough damage.
Two minutes added on.
GOAL! 86’ - Bayern 5-2 Arsenal19:35 , Karl Matchett
What about that! Hadn’t scored a Champions League goal for Bayern half an hour ago - now Harder has three on the night!
A hat-trick for the former Chelsea star, who follows in her initial shot to prod in from just a yard or two after Zinsberger couldn’t hold the first attempt.
Having been ahead and then later level in this half, it’s ending up a real beating for Arsenal.
19:31 , Karl Matchett
Codina needs to be careful - already booked and now asks for a card for Schuller, who stops a free-kick being taken quickly.
Arsenal try to get matters underway quickly again but are running out of time. Stanway tries a shot from the edge of the box for Bayern but is closed out.
80’ - Bayern 4-2 Arsenal19:28 , Karl Matchett
Into the final ten minutes and it’s another double sub for Arsenal.
Cooney-Cross and Kafaji come on for Walti and Foord but it looks too late now.
Bayern, barring a very surprising final ten minutes, will be claiming three points at home. They’ve been excellent in this second half.
GOAL! 77’ - Bayern 4-2 Arsenal19:25 , Karl Matchett
And after her first, Harder has a second! That surely ends Arsenal’s efforts on the night and Bayern have a two-goal lead for the first time.
Harder won the initial corner, Arsenal cleared but the ball came back in from the left and the Dane was left all alone, six yards out, to nod home her brace and make it 4-2.
GOAL! 72’ - Bayern 3-2 Arsenal19:20 , Karl Matchett
Bayern back in front!
Pernille Harder has her first Champions League goal for Bayern - another corner, another big header and her looped effort flew over a cluster of defenders and into the far corner - great movement, fine finish.
That’s 3-2 to Bayern!
68’ - Bayern 2-2 Arsenal19:18 , Karl Matchett
Into the final quarter of the game then - let’s see what else Arsenal can do after getting back on level terms. Mead tries to free Fox but the pass is underhit and Bayern clear.
Triple change for Bayern: Schuller, Dallmann and Kerr all come on.
Arsenal also brought Alessia Russo on for Blackstenius.
GOAL! 64’ - Bayern 2-2 Arsenal19:12 , Karl Matchett
A respite for the visitors, who have two changes at least ready to make. First they have a corner and McCabe is on it - and it’s in! Headed in by Codina!
Out of absolutely nothing, their first dangerous set piece of the night and a great header into the corner!
Double sub is still made - Beth Mead is on for Maanum, McCabe replaced by Steph Catley.
60’ - Bayern 2-1 Arsenal19:09 , Karl Matchett
Arsenal really struggling to deal with Bayern’s waves of attacks now. Blackstenius briefly has a sight of the ball in the Bayern box but can’t hold up play, then it’s off the other end of the pitch and Harder curls one into the side-netting.
Eidevall surely needs to make changes now.
GOAL! 56’ - Bayern 2-1 Arsenal19:04 , Karl Matchett
There’s the goal - and it has been coming! A quick move upfield sees Lohmann played in down the right channel behind McCabe and the 24-year-old arrows in a low strike, a fine hit but really, Zinsberger has to be disappointed - a classic near-post strike and she’s beaten all ends up.
2-1 to Bayern!
54’ - Bayern 1-1 Arsenal19:01 , Karl Matchett
Eidevall applauds his players from the touchline as they continue to work hard to hold Bayern at bay - but it’s beginning to be one-way traffic somewhat.
Simon lets fly from 25 yards with an angled, left-footed drive, but that one is routine for Zinsberger to make the save.
Bayern with more shots in the game than Arsenal now, six to five.
50’ - Bayern 1-1 Arsenal18:56 , Karl Matchett
Bayern looking a lot more comfortable on the ball at the start of this half - they’ve picked up where they left off, much higher upfield and swinging the ball in at will. Another cross from the right now finds Harder and she nods goalward - but wide again.
46' - Bayern 1-1 Arsenal18:53 , Karl Matchett
OK - back to Arsenal, and back underway.
And straight from kick-off it’s almost 2-1 to Bayern - the ball is rolled to Simon and she wallops a low strike towards goal, Zinsberger just getting a touch on the effort to turn it around the post and wide.
Man City v Barcelona - confirmed lineups18:50 , Karl Matchett
Team news is out for tonight’s 8pm kick-off - Man City vs Barcelona!
Man City XI: Yamashita, Layzell, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Miedema, Fowler, Hemp, Park, Casparij, Shaw, Hasegawa
Bacelona XI: Coll, Maria Leon, Graham, Alexia, Patri, Aitana, Rolfo, Pajor, Walsh, O. Battle, Engen
Tonight's team news! ⭐️
XI | Yamashita, Layzell, Aleixandri, Greenwood (C), Miedema, Fowler, Hemp, Park, Casparij, Shaw, Hasegawa
SUBS | Keating, Startup, Coombs, Kelly, Roord, Kennedy, Ouahabi, Blindkilde Brown, Fujino, Prior, Thomas, Murphy#ManCity | #UWCL pic.twitter.com/hLpmJm0xmZ
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) October 9, 2024
18:43 , Karl Matchett
Stats so far at the break:
Possession 49 - 51
Shots 3-5
On target 3-4
Corners 1-1
Yellows 0-1
Offsides 2-3
HT - Bayern 1-1 Arsenal18:36 , Karl Matchett
There’s the whistle and we’re all square, one apiece at half-time.
Caldentey’s opener was well-taken after a fine McCabe cross, but Glodis Perla looped in an equalising header just a couple of minutes before the interval.
45’ - Bayern 1-1 Arsenal18:33 , Karl Matchett
Three minutes added on at the end of the first half - the Gunners couldn’t quite get to the break with the lead intact.
GOAL! 42’ - Bayern 1-1 Arsenal18:31 , Karl Matchett
First chance for the hosts - good save from Zinsberger! A slip by McCabe and Gwinn is in, firing in a shot which is high and hard...and beaten away by the keeper.
Promising for Bayern - and as the ball comes back into the box by Stanway, Glodis Perla Viggosdottir is still up from the set piece and she leaps to divert a header over Zinsberger and into the far corner off the post!
All square again before the break.
40’ - Bayern 0-1 Arsenal18:28 , Karl Matchett
Five minutes to the break and Arsenal just now sitting off a little for the first time - more possession and time on the ball now for Stanway and Co. Can they fashion something before the interval? It has been very low-key from them so far.
Yellow card now for Codina for dragging down Harder as she looked to race onto a long ball over the top - perhaps unnecessary, but Arsenal clear the freekick so no immediate damage done.
18:24 , Karl Matchett
Walti so far winning the battle with Stanway and Zadrazil to protect Arsenal’s back line from the runners from deep - Bayern really haven’t created anything in this half or managed any kind of sustained pressure.
Jonas Eidevall will be delighted at this much-improved showing from the weekend.
32’ - Bayern 0-1 Arsenal18:22 , Karl Matchett
Bayern now trying to get themselves back into the game and DAZN have thankfully sorted out their sound issues after overlaying a totally different game for the last few minutes.
(Getty Images)
GOAL! 28’ - Bayern 0-1 Arsenal18:18 , Karl Matchett
Arsenal are ahead! Caldentey with the opening goal, a fine move down the left and McCabe’s cross is met by a first-time, side-footed volley from the Spaniard and it flies past Grohs for 1-0!
24’ - Bayern 0-0 Arsenal18:15 , Karl Matchett
An injury concern now for Giulia Gwinn, who gets a bit of an ankle twist in a midfield challenge. Just over midway through this first half - Arsenal with more possession and a couple of shots more than Bayern so far in what has been a positive start.
Slightly timid from both perhaps, but plenty of time to work their way into this game and competition. Gwinn looks set to continue.
20’ - Bayern 0-0 Arsenal18:08 , Karl Matchett
Maanum maybe considers a shot as the ball rolls across the edge of the box, but opts out and the opening is gone. Blackstenius does well to work hard and win the corner - the Gunners on top in the last few minutes. Can they make it count though?
McCabe takes it, it’s not actually a good one and should be cleared near post but is totally missed - and it bounces just in front of the line, with no black shirt on hand to poke it over and in for the opening goal. An escape for Bayern.
16’ - Bayern 0-0 Arsenal18:05 , Karl Matchett
Stanway loses out in midfield and Arsenal try to overload on the counter, but one loose pass and Bayern have it back. Buhl is all alone in attack though and it’s coming straight back at the hosts; McCabe takes on two, leaves Lohmann on the ground and ... scuffs a shot wide of the near post.
Good build-up, lacking in execution though.
12’ - Bayern 0-0 Arsenal18:01 , Karl Matchett
Simon fouls Mariona Caldentey and it’s a chance for the Gunners to deliver some quality into the box. Maanum and McCabe over the set piece...it’s the latter, and it’s reached by Codina, but a toepoke towards goal doesn’t have enough power to trouble the keeper and Grohs saves again.
8’ - Bayern 0-0 Arsenal17:57 , Karl Matchett
Bayern just trying to put some sustained pressure on Arsenal now - Stanway has a strike from 20 yards or so, fierce but very central and easy for Zinsberger to collect.
No real headway into the Bayern defensive third yet for the visitors, though Maanum now arrows one from a similar distance to Stanway, on target but with a similar result.
17:52 , Karl Matchett
McCabe seeing plenty of the ball in the opening spell, trying to get Arsenal on the front foot and move them forward - but it’s Pernille Harder who almost opens up Arsenal in the first driving run into the box, skipping past two challenges before being crowded out.
Five Champions League games without a goal for Harder.
1’ - Bayern 0-0 Arsenal17:49 , Karl Matchett
Underway in Munich! Plenty of changes for Arsenal from the weekend - will that spark them into action after that listless showing?
Bayern in possession in the opening stages as you might expect - they’ll feel goals will be on the agenda once more tonight at home.
Bayern v Arsenal - live updates17:46 , Karl Matchett
The players are out, the lights are on - and the anthem is being played. The Bayern Campus holds around 2,500 fans and that stand looks fairly well packed out.
And...right before kick-off, DAZN’s coverage cuts out for a moment. Thankfully back up and running in time for the start!
The Gunners wearing their very smart black away kit tonight.
Bayern v Arsenal - live updates17:40 , Karl Matchett
Kick-off on the way from Munich shortly - and don’t forget we’ll be straight over to Man City against Barcelona following this match!
Pressure on Arsenal highlights ‘problem’ of the Women’s Champions League17:35 , Jamie Braidwood
At full-time at the Emirates on Sunday, the deflation among the Arsenal fans was such that a 0-0 draw against Everton was greeted with a shrug and a sigh before a slow trudge home through the damp October mist. This was not how they envisioned starting a major week in the club’s season. Rather than bouncing into the start of the Women’s Champions League, Arsenal slumped to a dispiriting goalless draw at home. “We are disappointed with the result and the performance,” said Jonas Eidevall, unable to hide from what was clearly evident.
Then came the warning. “I think it is going to be a tough, challenging Women’s Super League this season, probably the toughest one we have ever had,” the Arsenal manager added. Their next fixtures may illustrate why. On Wednesday, the Gunners face the trip to Bayern Munich in their opening match of the Women’s Champions League group stage. Then on Saturday, Arsenal host London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates in one of their biggest games of the season. Given Arsenal’s start, it could be filed under “must not lose”, too.
According to Eidevall, Arsenal have also been handed a “disadvantage” ahead of two huge games. The Gunners face tight turnarounds for both, with one day less preparation time than their opponents. Bayern played on Saturday, while Chelsea host Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, having also had the weekend off.
Pressure on Arsenal highlights ‘problem’ of the Women’s Champions League
Bayern Munich Women vs Arsenal Women prediction: German giants may squish Gunners17:15 , Becky Ashton
Arsenal travel to Bayern Munich on Wednesday as they get their Women’s Champions League campaign underway at the FC Bayern Campus.
The Gunners have had a mixed start to the WSL season with two draws and just one win from their opening three games. The win was a narrow 1-0 success over Leicester while they drew 2-2 with Manchester City and 0-0 with Everton at the weekend.
They have also played four qualifying matches to reach this stage of the Champions League after finishing third in the Women’s Super League last season, behind Chelsea and City.
They beat Rangers 6-0 and Rosenborg 1-0 before overcoming another Swedish side in Hacken 4-1 on aggregate in a two-legged affair.
Arsenal lost the away leg against Hacken 1-0 and betting sites are forecasting another tough European away trip with Bayern a best-price of 11/8 for the win.
See the Independent’s predictions and tips here.
Bayern v Arsenal - live updates17:05 , Karl Matchett
Among that Bayern lineup there will be a few familiar names to WSL viewers - Pernille Harder joined from Chelsea in 2023, scoring 13 in 23 last term amid a couple of injuries.
And Georgia Stanway, anyone?!
The club vice-captain and England Lionesses star joined in the summer of 2022, with two titles to her name since venturing across to Germany.
This term she has started with an eye for goal too - four in six so far.
Bayern v Arsenal - live updates16:55 , Karl Matchett
Last night’s Champions League results:
Group A:
Roma 1-0 Wolfsburg
Lyon 3-0 Galatasaray
Group B:
Celtic 0-2 Twente
Chelsea 3-2 Real Madrid
And tonight’s fixtures...
Group C:
Bayern v Arsenal
Hammarby v St Polten
Group D:
Valerenga v Juventus
Man City v Barcelona.
We’ll have coverage of Man City against the reigning champions here on the Independent tonight too, kicking off at 8pm BST.
Bayern v Arsenal - live updates16:48 , Karl Matchett
Confirmed teams are in!
Bayern: Grohs, Viggosdottir, Hansen, Gwinn, Damnjanovic, Lohmann, Buhl, Harder, Zadrazil, Simon, Stanway.
Arsenal: Zinsberger, Fox, Codina, Williamson, Mariona, Little, McCabe, Maanum, Walti, Foord, Blackstenius.
Bayern v Arsenal - live updates16:30 , Karl Matchett
Pressure on Arsenal highlights ‘problem’ of the Women’s Champions LeagueAt full-time at the Emirates on Sunday, the deflation among the Arsenal fans was such that a 0-0 draw against Everton was greeted with a shrug and a sigh before a slow trudge home through the damp October mist. This was not how they envisioned starting a major week in the club’s season. Rather than bouncing into the start of the Women’s Champions League, Arsenal slumped to a dispiriting goalless draw at home. “We are disappointed with the result and the performance,” said Jonas Eidevall, unable to hide from what was clearly evident.
Then came the warning. “I think it is going to be a tough, challenging Women’s Super League this season, probably the toughest one we have ever had,” the Arsenal manager added. Their next fixtures may illustrate why. On Wednesday, the Gunners face the trip to Bayern Munich in their opening match of the Women’s Champions League group stage. Then on Saturday, Arsenal host London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates in one of their biggest games of the season. Given Arsenal’s start, it could be filed under “must not lose”, too.
Jamie Braidwood on Arsenal’s European adventure:
Pressure on Arsenal highlights ‘problem’ of the Women’s Champions League
Bayern v Arsenal - live updates16:20 , Karl Matchett
We’re only a week on from the Arsenal manager hitting out at the WSL for poor scheduling - feeling the English game, perhaps, should emulate some of those in Europe to give teams a better chance of succeeding.
Jonas Eidevall hit out at the Women’s Super League (WSL) for the “amateurish” scheduling issues that forced the postponement of Chelsea and Manchester United.
The two clubs had been due to meet at Kingsmeadow on Sunday in a marquee clash, but the encounter was called off at short notice due to concerns over player welfare.
The decision, announced a week before the game, came after the London club were scheduled to play their first Champions League group stage fixture against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
Arsenal and Manchester City joined Sonia Bompastor’s side in reaching the group stages; like Chelsea, they were played their weekend WSL fixture on Sunday, resulting in a tight turnaround.
Jonas Eidevall slams ‘amateurish’ WSL over ‘unacceptable’ scheduling issues
Bayern v Arsenal - live updates16:10 , Karl Matchett
A quick look at the domestic form of both clubs so far this season, then:
Bayern are five from five so far in the Frauen-Bundesliga, with 18 goals scored during that 100% start.
Additionally they won the Super Cup against Wolfsburg, 1-0, and thrashed Sand in the cup.
Arsenal sit sixth after three WSL games: one win and two draws, with the first of those being a thrilling 2-2 with Man City.
They also saw off Rangers (6-0), Rosenborg (1-0) and Hacken (4-1 on aggregate) to reach the groups in Europe.
Bayern v Arsenal - live updates16:00 , Karl Matchett
It has been a decade of quite impressive consistency for Arsenal Women in the WSL - though sadly that has been at a slightly lower level than they’d ideally like, more often than not.
Since 2013, they have finished precisely third in the table on no fewer than nine occasions - with a fourth, a second and a single title win in 2019 making up the rest of the past decade or so.
They retained the League Cup last season, however, and also went all the way to the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League last season - beaten 5-4 on aggregate by Wolfsburg in the end.
(Getty Images)
Bayern v Arsenal - live updates15:49 , Karl Matchett
Arsenal head into their Champions League opener on the back of a difficult weekend; in the pouring rain and against a stubborn defence, they were held at bay and drew 0-0 with Everton at the Emirates.
While far from a devastating blow to their title hopes, Jonas Eidevall will know they can’t give up too many points on home turf if they want to seriously challenge Man City and Chelsea.
Tonight, though, attention turns to Europe.
Is Bayern v Arsenal on TV tonight? Time, channel and how to watch15:35 , Karl Matchett
Arsenal begin their Group C efforts in the Women’s Champions League with a potentially tricky trip to Bayern Munich.
Jonas Eidevall’s side progressed past Hacken to reach the group stages of the competition and will be bidding for a deep competition run.
But Bayern, Juventus and Valeranga represent dangerous opposition for the London club, with the German side winning the Frauen Bundesliga without losing a game last season.
The Bavarians are five from five in the league so far and will start their continental campaign full of confidence.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Is Bayern Munich v Arsenal on TV tonight? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch
Bayern v Arsenal - live updates17:04 , Karl Matchett
Under half an hour until kick-off. Two in the group go through of course so a failure to win here won’t necessarily be totally damaging for Arsenal, but of course there’s no room for complacency.
Leah Williamson, Stina Blackstenius and Caitlyn Foord are back in the lineup tonight after coming off the bench at the weekend.
(The FA via Getty Images)
