February 7 – Titleholders FC Barcelona have drawn unheralded SK Brann in the quarter finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Seven different countries had clubs in the draw, though there were none from Germany or Italy. Last season teams from the ‘Big 5’ European countries provided all of the quarterfinalists.
2023/2024 UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter-Final Draw:
SK Brann v FC Barcelona
SL Benfica v Lyon
Ajax v Chelsea
BK Häcken v Paris Saint-Germain
2023/2024 UEFA Women’s Champions League Semi-Final Draw
SF1 – SK Brann or FC Barcelona v Ajax or Chelsea
SF2 – SL Benfica or Lyon v BK Häcken or Paris Saint-Germain
The headline tie in the quarter finals looks to be Emma Haye’s Chelsea versus Ajax as the Englishwoman looks to end her career in West London on a high note before departing for US women’s national team in the summer.
Title holders FC Barcelona, who hold much of the World Cup-winning Spain squad from 2023, are expected to breeze past Norwegian outfit SK Brann but could face a sterner test in the semi-final against either Ajax or Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s BK Hacken vs PSG looks to be an even match after both sides had a similar group stage experience.
Lyon, eight times Champions League winners in the past with the last win being in 2022, will be looking to get their hands back on the UWCL trophy and could ultimately provide the biggest challenge to FC Barcelona should both teams reach the final. They proved they can beat the Spanish on the continental stage in 2022, despite missing out on a shot at the trophy last year after they were sent home by Chelsea.
The quarter-final first legs will take place on March 19/20with the second legs due to be held a week later.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1730546215labto1730546215ofdlr1730546215owedi1730546215sni@g1730546215niwe.1730546215yrrah1730546215