Women's Champions League news

Marc Skinner has reaffirmed his belief that Manchester United can still secure a European spot this season despite suffering a bruising 3-0 defeat to rivals Manchester City. The United boss admitted the result at Old Trafford was "horrible" but remained defiant regarding his side's chances of finishing in the Champions League places.

USWNT defender Naomi Girma has challenged her Chelsea team-mates to treat every remaining Women’s Super League fixture as a "must-win" clash. The Blues are navigating a relentless schedule across domestic and European fronts as they look to stay in the hunt for silverware.

Only a year on from winning an unbeaten domestic treble, Chelsea's difficulties this season have been well-documented. The Blues are set to be dethroned as English champions for the first time since 2019 and injuries in attack have played a significant role in their shortcomings, forcing Sonia Bompastor to deploy line-ups without a central striker at times. Sam Kerr's performances for Australia at the Asian Cup this month, then, were a welcome sight for Chelsea fans.

Arsenal captain Kim Little has signed a new one-year deal with the club, taking her name off the long list of those out of contract with the Gunners this summer. The reigning European champions had more than 10 first-team players whose current deals were set to expire at the end of the season but Little is officially staying put, the club announced on Thursday.

Lionesses star Ella Toone is not expected to return from injury until after the April international break, dealing a significant blow to both England and Man Utd. It's a delay that means the playmaking midfielder will miss United's upcoming games with Manchester City and Bayern Munich, as well as the Lionesses' crucial clash with Spain in World Cup qualifying.

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner admitted his side was blindsided by a surprising tactical shift from Bayern Munich in their Women's Champions League defeat. Despite fighting back twice, the Red Devils were undone by a direct approach that exploited their high defensive line.

Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier has called for defensive improvements after a frustrating 3-2 defeat against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford. Despite a spirited performance, the Red Devils were undone by clinical finishing from Pernille Harder and a late Momoko Tanikawa winner.

Barcelona star Patri Guijarro has hailed her side’s clinical performance after the Blaugrana dismantled Real Madrid 6-2 in the first leg of their Women's Champions League quarter-final. The midfielder was instrumental in a dominant display that saw the Catalan giants take a firm grip on the tie ahead of the return leg.

Manchester United will need to win in Germany next week to continue their maiden Women's Champions League adventure, after suffering a 3-2 defeat to Bayern in the first leg of this quarter-final clash on Wednesday night. The Red Devils showed great resilience to twice fight back from a goal down, with them seemingly on for a draw that would give them a greater chance of progressing, until Momoko Tanikawa's late strike settled the matter in favour of the German champions instead.

VfL Wolfsburg have opened the door to the Champions League semi-finals against OL Lyon – even the injured Alexandra Popp is now hopeful.

Renee Slegers has lauded her Arsenal side for their "clinical and ruthless" performance after securing a vital 3-1 first-leg win in their Women's Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea. The Gunners boss was full of praise for how her team handled the pressure of a high-stakes London derby at the Emirates.

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has hit out at the standard of officiating following her side's 3-1 Women's Champions League quarter-final first-leg loss to Arsenal. Despite a spectacular Lauren James effort, the Blues were undone by a ruthless Gunners side at the Emirates. Bompastor insists her team "deserved better" after seeing a crucial goal disallowed, leaving them with a mountain to climb in next week's return leg.

When Sydney Schertenleib sat in front of the national media last summer, before playing in her first European Championship for hosts Switzerland at the age of 18, and declared that her "biggest goal" was to win the Ballon d'Or one day, some may have rolled their eyes.

Manchester United's season is likely to be defined by events in the next eight days. The Red Devils have enjoyed some real highs this year, reaching a Women's Champions League quarter-final on their main draw debut and a first League Cup final, but if Marc Skinner's side don't get some big results over the course of this next week, they could have very little to show for their efforts.

How to watch the Women's Champions League match between Real Madrid Femenino and Barcelona, as well as kick-off time and team news

Chelsea's dreams of winning a first-ever Women's Champions League title hang by a thread after losing 3-1 to rivals and holders Arsenal in the first leg of their quarter-final. Both sides' flailing Women's Super League campaigns means the importance of their European exploits have only increased, and it is the Gunners who hold the advantage heading into next week's second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal's run to last year's Women's Champions League trophy was characterised by astonishing comebacks but it doesn't look like the Gunners will need one to continue their title defence beyond the quarter-final stage, after beating Chelsea 3-1 in the first leg of their all-English last eight tie on Tuesday night. Goals from Stina Blackstenius and Chloe Kelly allowed the reigning European champions to take an advantage into next week's meeting at Stamford Bridge, in which they will only need to avoid defeat to reach the semi-finals.