Lyon and England’s trio hungry after Barcelona’s summer changes

The new Women’s Champions League league phase begins this Tuesday, and The Guardian argues the tournament genuinely feels more open than in recent seasons. The holders, Barcelona, have undergone major summer changes after winning four titles in six years, and that shift has reduced the usual sense that the European crown is already theirs.

A Barcelona with a different feel

According to The Guardian, Barcelona lost several starters from last season’s final. Ona Batlle joined Arsenal, Salma Paralluelo moved to OL Lyonnais (and scored twice for Lyonnais against this title rival in the 4-0 win that sealed the May title), while Alexia Putellas and Mapi León went to London City Lionesses.

Even with those departures, the article insists Barcelona are still the side to beat. The piece highlights Aitana Bonmatí as a central figure—though she is flagged as doubtful for the opener against Paris FC on Wednesday due to injury—alongside Ewa Pajor as the competition’s top scorer last season and captain Patri Guijarro.

Lyon and the English challenge

OL Lyonnais are presented as the team most intent on taking back the trophy, which Barcelona haven’t won since 2022. The Guardian notes a solid recruitment, including Paralluelo and Scotland midfielder Caroline Weir, and frames a European Cup as a defining achievement for owner Michele Kang and coach Jonatan Giráldez—who has already delivered back-to-back continental success with Barcelona in 2023 and 2024.

Behind them, the report points to three English contenders: Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. Arsenal are portrayed as better prepared for the demands of the knockout later on, with Georgia Stanway and Batlle arriving. Manchester City, meanwhile, keep an eye on making up for lost time in Europe, with Jamaica striker Khadija Shaw singled out and the campaign beginning away to Bayern.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid add attacking depth with the signing of Felicia Schröder and open against Paris Saint-Germain at home, while the absence of Wolfsburg is also noted as a standout talking point in this expanded league-phase format.