Barcelona v Benfica: Women’s Champions League – live | Women’s Champions League
Key events
The earlier games today have just finished with Frankfurt beating Rosengard 2-1 and Brann also taking the three points over St Polten with a 2-1 result.
If you have read any of the blogs I have done before I have a chat with the readers that I call snack chat. I had a hefty dinner so I’m going with a lighter snack of chocolate raisins. Tweet or email me and let me know what you’re snacking with while watching/reading the game!
This match is a milestone on Barcelona manager Jonatan Giraldez’ career as not only are his team kicking off their title defence but it is also his 100th game in charge of the club. Since being appointed in 2021 he has won six trophies with the team.
Who else is in Group A with Barcelona and Benfica you ask? Well I will tell you. Rosengard and Eintracht Frankfurt make up the rest of the group and the two clubs are playing one another right now. Frankfurt still lead 1-0.
Two matches have already kicked off with Rosengard v Eintracht Frankfurt and St Polten v Brann. Frankfurt are leading Rosengard 1-0 thanks to a goal by Tanja Pawollek and Brann are 1-0 up after Rakel Engesvik scored. Those games are yet to finish and so I will bring you those full-time scores when I have them. Slavia Praha v Lyon will kick-off at 8pm GMT, the same time as Barcelona v Benfica and so I will update you on that as it pans out.
The team news is here! Barcelona have made five changes from their 6-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday with Mapi Leon, Mariona Caldentey, Alexia Putellas, Carolina Graham Hansen and Ingrid Engen coming in.
Irene Paredes is out on medical grounds.
Barcelona: Coll, Leon, Marta, Mariona, Graham Hansen, Putellas, Bonmati, Walsh, Batlle, Engen, Brugts
Benfica, meanwhile, have made nine changes from their 5-0 league win last Saturday. Only Marta Cintra and Andreia Norton remain in the starting line-up.
Benfica: Vilao, Costa, Rebelo, Almendariz, Cintra, Almeida, Costa, Norton. Martins, Nogueira.
Pauels, Faria, Cintra, Raysla, Alves, Ucheibe, Norton, Amado, Gasper, Falcon, Araujo
Preamble
Good evening and welcome to the Women’s Champions League group match between defending champions Barcelona and Portuguese club Benfica.
The WCL group stage is back after the qualifying rounds concluded last month, which saw English clubs Arsenal and Manchester United bow out. Benfica came through qualifying, beating Cliftonville, SFK Riga and Apollon to reach the group stage. Barcelona, meanwhile, automatically qualified for the group stage.
The two clubs faced one another in the WCL last season as they were drawn in the same group. Benfica lost both games to Barca, the first 9-0 and the second 6-2. They will be hoping to close the gap on the defending champions in the match this evening.
This game is not the only one taking place today with Rosengard v Eintract Frankfurt. St Polten v Brann and Slavia Praha v Lyon. I will update you on those games shortly.
For now the Barcelona and Benfica line ups will be revealed imminently so stay tuned for updates!
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