Arsenal’s title defence begins with a difficult group of acquainted rivals.
Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photographs
The brand new Ladies’s Champions League format will see 18 groups contest the trophy in a league section, every taking part in six matches, three at residence and three away.
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Holders Arsenal enter as high seeds, with all residence fixtures to be staged at Meadow Park.
OL Lyon, Actual Madrid and FC Twente will all go to north London, whereas Arsenal face away journeys to Bayern Munich, Benfica and OH Leuven.
It’s a balanced draw, however as reigning champions Arsenal ought to concern nobody. Lyon at residence and Bayern away seem the sternest exams.
Lyon, now coached by former Barcelona supervisor Jonatan Giráldez, are acquainted opponents. Twice earlier than they’ve visited Meadow Park and twice departed with 3-2 victories.
Bayern are additionally common rivals and at the moment are managed by José Barcala, one other Spaniard with a fame for tactical innovation.
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Actual Madrid had been crushed on Arsenal’s path to the title final season and return beneath new coach Pau Quesada.
The Belgian, Dutch and Portuguese champions signify new opposition for Arsenal in Europe. A visit to Lisbon will evoke fond recollections of final season’s triumph, when Arsenal lifted the Champions League in Portugal.
The schedule is as follows:
Arsenal v OL Lyon, Meadow Park, Tuesday 8 October, 8pm
Benfica v Arsenal, Thursday 16 October, 8pm
Bayern v Arsenal, Wednesday 12 November, 5.45pm
Arsenal v Actual Madrid, Meadow Park, Wednesday 19 November, 8pm
Arsenal v FC Twente, Meadow Park, Tuesday 9 December, 8pm
OH Leuven v Arsenal, Tuesday 17 December, 8pm
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Elsewhere, Chelsea had been paired with Barcelona, Roma and Paris FC at residence, and can journey to Wolfsburg, St Pölten and Twente. All are winnable video games, although Barcelona pose the best risk.
Manchester United, competing in the principle event for the primary time after falling in earlier qualifiers, will host Lyon, Paris Saint-Germain and Vålerenga, whereas going through Wolfsburg, Juventus and Atlético Madrid away. It’s a demanding draw for a debut marketing campaign.
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Below the brand new system, the highest 4 of the 18 groups advance on to the quarter-finals. These ranked fifth to twelfth will go into the play-offs, whereas the remainder are eradicated.
Arsenal’s goal might be a top-four end and a factors tally of 16 to 18, avoiding two further fixtures in February instantly after the FIFA Ladies’s Champions Cup.