Barcelona Begin Women’s Champions League Defence Without Alexia Putellas

Posted : 21 September 2026

Barcelona begin their defence of the UEFA Women’s Champions League title against Paris FC on Wednesday, starting a new chapter after the departure of long-serving captain Alexia Putellas. The Catalan side will open their campaign at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Putellas played a central role in Barcelona’s success before leaving for London City Lionesses during the summer. Her departure has also been accompanied by exits for Mapi León, Ona Batlle and Salma Paralluelo, creating significant changes within the squad that has dominated European women’s club football in recent seasons.

Despite those departures, Barcelona retain a strong core and coach Pere Romeu remains in charge. The squad also includes several players who were nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Féminin, while Aitana Bonmatí is returning after recovering from a broken leg.

Barcelona have reached seven of the last eight Champions League finals and won four of them. Last season, they completed their latest triumph with a 4-0 victory over OL Lyonnes in the final, having also topped the league phase with 16 points from 18.

The champions face Paris FC in their opening fixture before meeting Arsenal at home on November 11. Arsenal were beaten by Barcelona in the previous final and are among the teams expected to challenge for the title again this season.

Barcelona's opening opponents Paris FC finished 10th in last season's league phase before losing to Real Madrid in the knockout play-offs. The French club qualified directly for this season's league phase after finishing runners-up to OL Lyonnes in France.

OL Lyonnes will also enter the competition seeking a response after last season's heavy final defeat. The French champions have strengthened their squad with additions including Paralluelo, Scotland international Caroline Weir and Chelsea's Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, while established figures such as Wendie Renard and Ada Hegerberg remain.

The English contingent includes defending domestic champions Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea. City begin their European campaign away to Bayern Munich, while Arsenal and Chelsea have their own challenging league-phase schedules.

Bayern Munich, meanwhile, have retained much of last season's squad and will face Barcelona on the final matchday of the league phase in December. The German club reached last season's semifinals before losing to Barcelona.

The 2026/27 competition features 18 teams in a single league phase, with every club playing six matches. The top four qualify directly for the quarterfinals, while teams finishing fifth through 12th enter the knockout play-offs. The final is scheduled for May 28, 29 or 30, 2027, at Warsaw's Stadion Narodowy.

Barcelona Begin Women’s Champions League Defence Without Alexia Putellas

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics