Caroline Weir aims to boost OL Lyonnes in Women's Champions League

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The league phase kicks off this week, with several sides optimistic of unseating the European champions This competition is wide open. “But, wait, you say that every year!” No, honestly, this time it is wide open. The league phase of a new Women’s Champions League campaign begins on Tuesday with genuine elements of unpredictability, intrigue and a competitive feel after Barcelona, the holders, and winners of four titles in six years, underwent significant changes this summer. The Spanish champions, who have reached six European finals in a row, have had four players who started the victory in the final last season leave the club. Ona Batlle joined Arsenal, Salma Paralluelo signed for OL Lyonnes – against whom she scored twice in that 4-0 victory to clinch the title in May – and Alexia Putellas and Mapi León moved to London City Lionesses. They have a very different look and feel to the formidable aura they demonstrated in Oslo. Continue reading...

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Not only did OL Lyonnes miss the chance of a record-extending ninth Women's Champions League title, the crushing 4-0 loss to Barcelona in last season's final underlined its rival's ongoing status as the best side in the game. When goal-scoring midfielder Caroline Weir joined Lyon from Real Madrid in the offseason, she understood how much that loss hurt. The Women's Champions League begins Tuesday and sees 18 teams competing over six match days in the league phase, with the top four advancing to the quarterfinals and the clubs finishing between fifth and 12th entering knockout-phase playoffs.