The Women's Champions League returned for the final round of the group stage on Wednesday, with two English competitors securing their places at the top of the standings.
Chelsea The team was able to complete the comeback against Real Madrid, as two stunning penalty kicks from Catarina Macario secured the team a 2-1 victory at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium.
As injury problems continue to worsen, Manchester City Their first place in their group was stolen from them by defending champions Barcelona. Gareth Taylor's side struggled in Spain, losing 3-0 to Estádio Olympique Luis Compagnies.
As for Arsenalan instant scene in the Champions League witnessed by Mariona Caldente Victory over Bayern Munich 3-2 In the closing stages of the game. Rene Sligers extended his unbeaten run to 11 matches, as the Gunners went top of their group.
90min I've taken a look at the six key lessons from Round 6 of the UEFA Women's Champions League…
There is no stopping Arsenal at the moment, after they beat Bayern Munich 3-2, moving the team to the top of their group. The Gunners maintained an eleven-game unbeaten record under interim coach Renee Slegers, and it was the fight and passion shown by the players that made the moment even more special.
Since taking charge following the resignation of Jonas Edvall, Sligers has led Arsenal to new heights. The players have been injected with a new sense of confidence and, as star defender Leah Williamson put it, “I'm just so happy to come to work every day.”
Slegers didn't make sweeping changes to the previous Eidevall system, but it was the small tweaks that made the biggest impact. The decision to play Steve Catley at centre-back on a permanent basis has helped Arsenal become a great player, as the Australian continues to work seamlessly alongside Williamson at centre-back. After scoring a hat-trick in the reverse fixture, Catley made Pernell Harder look faceless at Meadow Park.
During the Edival era, fans started to forget the talent this team possessed. Now, the Gunners look as if their spirit alone can get them over the line against almost any opponent.
If eleven unbeaten games and a win over Bayern Munich aren't enough to sell Arsenal's backroom staff at Renaissance, then perhaps the club needs to rethink their fairytale search for the perfect manager and realize that their best option is already in hiding.
Sligers has done a lot of things right since taking charge of Arsenal, but the biggest impact of all has come from Alessia Russo. After a goal drought that saw her go without a goal in the opening eight matches of the 2024/25 season, Rousseau's goal against Bayern was her 10th in 11 successive matches.
This is the striker that Arsenal and England fans alike have been longing for, and they are finally starting to see her shine. Rousseau looks unstoppable, shaking the back of the net like light work.
We saw glimpses of this cruelty in her final season with Manchester United, but nothing like what we are witnessing now. Strikers rely heavily on confidence in order to give their best, and Rousseau has that confidence.
Manchester City's last seven days have raised many doubts about the squad's depth and talent. Everton beat the Citizens in the Women's Super League (WSL), before traveling to Barcelona for another toothless display.
If not for the individual brilliance of goalkeeper Khiara Keating, it's safe to assume Barcelona would have taken a 5-0 lead in just the first 45 minutes. Without Vivienne Miedema, Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp, Khadija Shaw and captain Alex Greenwood, it is impossible not to feel some sympathy for the City side.
However, there is another club in England facing problems of its own. Chelsea are without Sam Kerr, Lauren James and Mia Fishel, and recently lost defender Kadisha Buchanan to an anterior cruciate ligament injury while she was at her best. The Blues also traveled to Real Madrid without Johanna Retting-Canerade, who has been key to their success this season.
Injury-hit Arsenal managed to overtake Manchester City in the 2022/23 season, stealing third place and a Champions League place despite injuries to Leah Williamson (ACL), Beth Mead (ACL), Vivienne Miedema (ACL), Leah Walti and Kim Little. With the end of the season.
Injuries are a part of football, and City's difficult week is a clear indication of the team's lack of depth across the board. However, this is not the first time we have seen this happen.
While in the driving seat of last season's WSL title win, Shaw's injury was enough to completely derail City's campaign. Taylor often struggles to look for a backup plan, often relying too heavily on moments of individual brilliance.
This injury crisis will be a great cover-up for the larger issue at hand, which is City's continued struggle to come back from any sign of distress.
Another questionable offer. Chelsea saw themselves fall behind early to Real Madrid on Wednesday evening, however, in true Blues fashion, they managed to get the job done.
Sonia Bombastor's side are strong in numbers, and the player who shone the most against Las Blancas was striker Catarina Macario.
The US Women's National Team striker was supposed to get her first brace before her goals finally came true, as two shots nearly took Real Madrid's breath away. Macario was impressive as, with his strength and composure, the 25-year-old made Chelsea look likely in the final third.
The American's two penalties were enough to cross the goal line in a 2-1 win, but the penalties carry a story of their own. Hitting a double into the top right corner is something only a world-class player would dare do twice.
In a strong testament to the depth of Chelsea's strong squad, Macario was able to lead the line alongside Mayra Ramirez and ensure that Sam Kerr's absence was barely felt.
With the final round of the UEFA Women's Champions League group stage underway, fans will have to wait until February 7 to find out who their team will face in the quarter-finals.
The next phase will start on March 18 and 19, meaning fans will have less than six weeks to plan their European trips to go and support their club. With the group stages over, why is UEFA extending the draw for another month and a half?
An early draw would provide clubs with a great opportunity to increase ticket sales and generate hype around what will surely be an epic quarter-final stage. Women's football deserves to be played on the biggest stage, and football bodies should live up to that expectation.
Manchester City have a 2/3 chance of facing one of their WSL rivals in the next round, having finished second in their group. The team will play against Chelsea, Lyon and Arsenal. As for the London contenders, Arsenal will face one of Real Madrid, Wolfsburg or Manchester City. The Blues will be drawn against Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg or Manchester City.
