UWCL shock watch: Could Chelsea, PSG or Wolfsburg fail to make the league phase?
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- Chelsea, despite finishing third in last season's WSL, must go through the third qualifying round of the UEFA Women's Champions League (UWCL) and face Real Sociedad over two legs, rather than receiving automatic entry to the league phase.
- Real Sociedad, led by Arturo Ruiz, impressed last season but face challenges due to the loss of key midfielder Andreia Jacinto and limited goal-scoring options, making it difficult to overcome Chelsea.
- Paris Saint-Germain, once a consistent UWCL semifinalist, now face uncertainty against Eintracht Frankfurt, a team undergoing significant player turnover, with PSG also struggling in recent European and domestic performances.
- Wolfsburg, former UWCL finalists and dominant German champions, must navigate a tricky qualifier against Inter Milan, who are led by new coach David Sassarini with a disruptive playing style that could unsettle Wolfsburg.
- All three heavyweight clubs—Chelsea, PSG, and Wolfsburg—risk early elimination before the UWCL league phase, highlighting the increasing competitiveness and unpredictability of the women's European club scene.
