UEFA Women’s Champions League 2024/25: Semi-final preview, schedule, and how to watch top European football action

UEFA Women’s Champions League 24/25: Semi-final preview

Arsenal v Lyon

This season’s two-legged semi-final will mark the eighth and ninth meetings between these sides. Both have a rich history in this competition, but in terms of their head-to-head record the French giants dominate – perhaps unsurprisingly given their success in Europe.

Arsenal can continue to boast that they are the only English side to have ever won this competition. It was part of an impressive treble feat back in 2007, meaning it is long overdue for them to prove once again they are among the best on the continent. Both this season, along with their last four appearance in 23/24, have been a welcome return to the big leagues for the North London side. Prior to this, from 2015 to 2019, they failed to qualify. Overcoming their opponents this time round would signify real growth, reaching only their second ever final.

Lyon has never really struggled with an absence from this competition, winning it a record eight times in their history. This includes five consecutive trophy lifts, making them an unparalleled opponent. 21/22 was the last time they were successful, sandwiched between FC Barcelona’s three campaign-winning feats. A win against Arsenal would see them reach their eleventh last two clash, on the brink of even more history.

FC Barcelona v Chelsea

Yet another meeting between these two sides is set to be a heated, unmissable clash given their history in this competition over recent years. The upcoming two-legged tie will be the third consecutive time they have met at this stage of the tournament.

FC Barcelona have long been a dominant force in Spain, but it is only recently that they have really found their footing on the European stage. They reached their first UWCL in 2019, bested comfortably by Lyon. It did, however, prove a crucial learning curve for the Catalan giants, who found success the following year with a 4-0 thumping of Chelsea. This campaign marks a chance for them to three-peat, having won the last two editions against Wolfsburg and Lyon, respectively.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are looking to book a spot in their third final of this season. Their hunt for a stunning quadruple is very much alive. The English outfit has already seen off Manchester City to lift the English League Cup, with a date in the diary to meet Manchester United in the final of the FA Cup next month. Unbeaten in the Women’s Super League with a handful of games remaining, that is all but wrapped up for them too. You might argue they would trade it all to be European champions, though, given it is the one trophy that has continuously evaded them. Can new manager Sonia Bompastor finally help them end this curse in her first season?

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