The first games of the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage get underway overnight, with CommBank Matildas involved in four fixtures.
Read our preview of all of the action below.
Group A
Lyon will host Turkish giants Galatasaray on Wednesday, 3.45am AEDT. Last year’s finalists Lyon will be keen to get their campaign off to the best possible start as they once again eye the most esteemed trophy in club football.
Having gotten through two tough stages of qualification, Galatasaray has been given an almighty test in their first-ever group stage game but will relish the challenge on the biggest stage.
Ellie Carpenter will be available in defence for Lyon.
Lyon vs Galatasaray
Date: Wed 9th Oct
Time: 3:45am AEDT
Watch on DAZN's YouTube Channel
Group B
Chelsea and Real Madrid meet again on Wednesday, 6am AEDT. The two teams have drawn each other in the group stage of the UWCL for the third season in a row, and Madrid will be hoping to be able to enact some revenge.
Sam Kerr is unavailable for Chelsea as she continues her rehabilitation and hasn't been included in Chelsea's group-stage squad submitted to UEFA.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid
Date: Wed 9th Oct
Time: 6:00am AEDT
Watch on DAZN's website
FC Twente travel to take on Celtic on Wednesday, 6am AEDT. It is a huge occasion for both teams, being the first time that they have qualified for the group stage of the UWCL.
It is also a huge occasion for youngster Daniela Galic, who will be available to play for FC Twente.
Celtic vs FC Twente
Date: Wed 9th Oct
Time: 6:00am AEDT
Watch on DAZN's website
Group C
German champions Bayern Munich will host Arsenal on Thursday, 3.45am AEDT. Bayern are six-time Frauen-Bundesliga champions but have only advanced beyond the quarter-finals of the UWCL twice, in 2018/19 and 2020/21, losing to Barcelona and Chelsea in the semi-finals on those occasions.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have won one continental competition - all the way back in 2006/07 - and have been hoping to reclaim former glories since.
Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross will all be available for Arsenal as they attempt to get their UWCL campaign off to the best possible start.
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal
Date: Thur 10th Oct
Time: 3:45am AEDT
Watch on DAZN's YouTube Channel
Group D
The final game of the round is possibly the most exciting of the lot. Manchester City will host defending champions Barcelona on Thursday, 6am AEDT in a match that promises to be highly entertaining.
The most City have achieved at the UWCL level were consecutive semi-finals in 2016/17 and 2017/18, losing to Lyon on both occasions. However, with multiple goal-scoring threats and an exciting style of football, they’ve never been more equipped to take on the team that is almost certainly the best in the world in Barcelona.
Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy will both be available for City.
Manchester City vs FC Barcelona
Date: Thur 10th Oct
Time: 6:00am AEDT
Watch on DAZN's website
