UWCL semifinal predictions: Will Barcelona batter Bayern? Arsenal to beat OL Lyonnes?

The UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals get underway Saturday, because the final 4 groups within the combine battle to get to the ultimate in Oslo on May 23.

It’s defending champions Arsenal vs. eight-time winners OL Lyonnes and final yr’s finalists Barcelona vs. german giants Bayern Munich. We’ve seen these matchups already earlier than this season however, now stakes are even larger, how will these video games play out throughout the 2 legs?

Arsenal vs. OL Lyonnes is a well-known fixture over the previous yr, what’s completely different for the groups this time?

Since these sides met in final season’s semi-final (a 5-3 win on combination for Arsenal), a lot has modified behind the scenes, but a lot stays the identical. Both squads are largely intact in contrast to the accidents that had been plaguing them final season, and once they crossed paths within the first sport of the league section (a 2-1 win for Lyonnes), their tactical setups nonetheless echoed final yr’s method.

Twelve months in the past, Arsenal overturned a 2-1 first-leg defeat thanks to a commanding 4-1 efficiency within the second leg. It was a sample they’d adopted within the quarterfinal towards real Madridsuggesting the group was rising comfy when confronted with adversity. This time, nonetheless, the underdog narrative feels much less convincing.

Arsenal’s emphatic playoff win over OH Leuven (7-1 on combination) and composed 3-2 victory towards native rivals Chelsea over two legs — arguably their hardest check to this point — paint the image of a facet with better management and expectation. That expectation is the important thing distinction.

As reigning champions, Arsenal are now not chasing; they’re the goal. Every opponent is measuring themselves towards them, and that shift in narrative essentially alters the strain on the London facet.

For Lyonnes, there has additionally been evolution. Since Jonatan Giráldez’s arrival in September, the tactical construction has sharpened. While organized opponents have uncovered occasional vulnerabilities, their attacking energy — arguably the strongest within the competitors — stays as ruthless as ever.

Despite their eight titles, Lyonnes haven’t lifted the trophy since 2022. Recent seasons have mirrored a facet caught between legacy and transition: decided to reassert themselves as Europe’s dominant pressure, but generally struggling to hold tempo with the competitors’s rising normal. This semi-final, then, carries important weight. Lyonnes are pushed to show their period of dominance is just not over, whereas Arsenal are intent on exhibiting they don’t seem to be one-hit wonders. — Emily Keogh

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Krieger: Arsenal can beat OL Lyonnes in UWCL with out Williamson

Ali Krieger offers her prediction for the primary leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final between Arsenal and OL Lyonnes.

Arsenal are defending champions, however does that matter?

Arsenal’s efficiency of their quarterfinal win over Chelsea was indicative of a group that is aware of what it takes to grind out tight European ties. They took their probabilities, had been defensively sound, had the steadiness of luck predominantly on their facet, and had an important goalkeeper to boot.

Up entrance, they’d Alessia Russo operating the present, however their win was down to their midfield: the unimaginable capacity of Mariana Caldentey and Kim Little to run matches with the assistance of their collective expertise. Even with captain and key defender Leah Williamson absent, Arsenal by no means seemed flustered and confirmed a mentality just like the one who guided them to the UWCL title final yr. Having that have to your title counts for an terrible lot at this level of the competitors.

While type and logic counsel Lyonnes and Barcelona are higher groups total, Arsenal’s standing as reigning champions provides them an emotional buffer to draw on if wanted — that is priceless and is one in all sport’s nice unquantifiable belongings.

Arsenal will doubtless have to beat the most effective two groups within the competitors if they’re to retain their title, however they’ve shocked Europe as soon as and understand how to do it once more. — Tom Hamilton

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Will Bayern be taught their lesson from Barcelona’s 7-1 demolition?

Lianne Sanderson and Ali Krieger preview Bayern vs. Barcelona within the Women’s Champions League semi-finals.

Not a lot, funnily sufficient, which tells you a bit in regards to the high quality in Barça’s group. They have coped effectively for big spells of the marketing campaign with out a few of their finest gamers, dispelling, for now, considerations that having a small squad may scupper their season.

Patri’s absence between October and January was effectively lined by Laia Aleixandriwhereas the lack of Bonmatí — who’s closing in on a return from a damaged leg — in December has given wings to younger midfielders like Clara Serrajordi and Vicky López. Of course, the timing of Guijarro and Bonmatí’s accidents has been comparatively favorable as a result of, a couple of fixtures apart, all of Barça’s massive video games begin now. The secret is having them match and prepared for the semifinal and, doubtlessly, the ultimate of the Champions League.

Patri, who picked up a small knock with Spain not too long ago, ought to be at her finest; Bonmatí could initially be utilized in a backup function as she returns within the coming weeks, though she’s unlikely to settle for that with no battle. After all, she did not let viral meningitis hold her out of the UEFA Women’s European Championships final summer time.

But even when one or the opposite is lacking, Barça will not be fazed. They will merely roll out a group that also consists of, amongst others, Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen and Ewa Pajor. — Sam Marsden

What, if something, can Bayern Munich do to cease Barcelona?

Barcelona’s final assembly with Bayern, a 7-0 victory firstly of this season’s league section in October, served as a stark reminder of their high quality. Despite falling quick in final season’s finale, they seem revitalized and as formidable as ever. Indeed, they continue to be the benchmark on this competitors. But they don’t seem to be untouchable, as Arsenal demonstrated final season.

That last win in Lisbon was a mix of perception and tactical precision; dropping Caitlin Foord into midfield created overloads which disrupted Barcelona’s rhythm, whereas Stina Blackstenius capitalized on the one massive second that the Gunners wanted her to. It was a efficiency constructed on self-discipline and execution.

For Bayern to replicate that sort of show would require close to perfection. There is all the time little margin for error towards Barcelona and, with a comparatively inexperienced supervisor in Jose Barcala and restricted time to implement his concepts, the size of the problem is simple. Defensive lapses — one thing Bayern have proven at occasions on this marketing campaign — will likely be punished, and their assault have to be medical, regardless of a scarcity of consistency this season.

Still, they possess the capability to trigger any group issues. Their finest shot at maintaining Barcelona at bay is to reduce the harm within the first leg, sit again and defend, then hit them on the counter assault. There is not any use making an attempt to play Barcelona at their very own possession-heavy sport, so so long as they’re nonetheless in it forward of the second leg they may push the three-time winners to their limits. — Keogh

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Graham Hansen: Barcelona is concentrated on successful the UWCL

Caroline Graham Hansen on Barcelona’s UWCL semi-final conflict towards Bayern Munich and the group’s focus within the competitors.

Predictions, please…

Keogh: I believe it will likely be a repeat of 2023 last in Bilbao between OL Lyonnes and Barcelona this time round in Oslo. It is hard to name the tie between OL Lyonnes and Arsenal, however with 5 video games within the WSL nonetheless to play and several other accidents to take care of, Arsenal could not have sufficient throughout two legs. Lyonnes’ need feels too nice, plus Giraldez will pressure Arsenal to be at their best to get something from the sport.

Meanwhile, as a lot as I really like an underdog story, I do not assume Bayern have sufficient to defeat the Barcelona.

hamilton: I’ve lengthy backed OL Lyonnes to find yourself successful this entire match, however I believe we may find yourself having an Arsenal-Barcelona last. Lyonnes have had matches the place they’ve loved virtually full dominance, however they have been wasteful in entrance of aim. Arsenal have been ruthless, and, as I stated above, they’ve recency bias on their facet.

I believe their tie with Lyonnes will likely be extremely tight, and it is as shut to 50-50 as you could find at this stage, however I simply fancy Arsenal to get via. On the opposite facet of the draw, Barcelona walloped Bayern Munich 7-1 again in spherical one of many competitors, but it surely’s going to be far nearer this time round. Bayern have Pernille Harder in fantastic type, they usually’ll hope to have the spectacular Klara Bühl again, however Barca are clear favorites for that tie.

marsden: Barça will not wallop Bayern like they did within the group stage — or will they?! — however they’ll have an excessive amount of for them over two legs. And in the event that they go into the return sport needing a outcome, a crowd of over 60,000 at Spotify Camp Nou ought to be sufficient to get them over the road as soon as once more.

As for the opposite semifinal, it is a coin flip. Tom is correct, there have been indicators that perhaps Lyonnes have some weaknesses we did not anticipate, however I believe the depth of high quality they’ve within the squad will permit coach Giráldez to e-book a last towards his previous group.