The UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals get underway this week, and six CommBank Matildas will be involved.
This week is the first leg of a two-legged quarter-final tie.
Read our preview of all of the Matildas Abroad UWCL action below.
Real Madrid v Arsenal
Date: Wednesday, 19 March (AEDT)
Kick-off: 4.45am (AEDT)
Broadcast: YouTube (DAZN)
Arsenal travel to Madrid to take on Real in the first leg of an all-important quarter-final.
Real Madrid are currently second in the Primera Division, behind the ever-present champions Barcelona. They take on an Arsenal side who were rocked by being knocked out of the FA Cup but find themselves second in the WSL and on an uptick of form since new coach Renee Slegers took charge.
Arsenal have a history in the competition, winning in 2006/07. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have not made it past the quarter-finals in their five years of existence.
Caitlin Foord, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Steph Catley will all be available for the Gunners.
Bayern Munich v Lyon
Date: Wednesday, 19 March (AEDT)
Kick-off: 7am (AEDT)
Broadcast: DAZN
It is a battle of giants as Bayern Munich takes on Lyon.
Bayern are currently at the top of the Frauen-Bundesliga in Germany, while Lyon are perpetual champions in France.
Lyon is the most successful team in UWCL history with eight titles but will be burning to advance this year after being defeated in last year’s final by Barcelona. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, are newer players to the big stage, but have the big game players to mount a significant challenge.
Ellie Carpenter will be available for Lyon.
Wolfsburg v Barcelona
Date: Thursday, 20 March (AEDT)
Kick-off: 4.45am (AEDT)
Broadcast: DAZN
Wolfsburg are the traditional giants of the German game and will be out to make a statement that their light has not dimmed in the wake of the rise of Bayern Munich.
No CommBank Matildas will be taking part in this fixture, but no doubt Sharn Freier will have a keen eye on proceedings as she prepares to join Wolfsburg next season.
Manchester City v Chelsea
Date: Thursday, 20 March (AEDT)
Kick-off: 7am (AEDT)
Broadcast: DAZN
It is an all-English clash to finish up the first leg of the quarter-finals, with Manchester City and Chelsea facing off to reach the next stage of the competition.
Manchester City will be out for revenge after being defeated in the Women’s League Cup Final by Chelsea only days ago. Chelsea, meanwhile, will be full of confidence – still undefeated this season and with the knowledge that they are capable of toppling their opponents.
Chelsea have finished runners-up once in the UWCL in 2021, while Manchester City have reached the semi-finals stage twice.
Mary Fowler will be available for City. Sam Kerr has been registered by Chelsea for the UWCL knock-out stages and will be hoping to make her return to play in the coming weeks.
