Following the international break last week the UEFA Women's Champions League returns this week with the group stage warming up nicely.
Chelsea, finalists back in 2021 before losing to Barcelona, have made a flying start to a potentially tricky-looking Group A and will turn their attention to Europe on Wednesday evening. The Blues host Real Madrid in a glamourous European tie at Kingsmeadow (8pm) hoping to continue their good form after brushing aside Tottenham, 3-0, in the London derby last week.
And Emma Hayes' side are in a strong position to qualify for the last eight, having won both of their group games so far. French powerhouse PSG were downed 1-0 in their opening game last month in Paris, thanks to Millie Bright's goal.
In a scrappy game in which both sides struggled for rhythm, England centre-half Bright sidefooted home in the 27th minute to secure one of The Blues' biggest away wins in Europe to date. Although it was only matchday one, by beating the Division 1 Féminine runners-up Chelsea had already taken a huge stride towards qualifying.
Albanian side KFF Vllaznia Shkodër were then swatted aside, 8-0, on matchday two to send Chelsea top of the group. Four goals from Sam Kerr, a hat-trick from Pernille Harder, one from the substitute Katerina Svitkova gave the Blues a landslide win as they dealt win a lively away support in fine style.
With PSG and Real Madrid's stalemate the same night ending 0-0, Emma Hayes side have taken control of the group, sitting top with six points. Las Blancas are second on four points with PSG third on one, albeit with back-to-back games against bottom-placed Vllaznia Shkodër to come.
If Chelsea manage a third straight Group A victory at Kingsmeadow against Real, they will have one foot in the quarter-finals, which guarantees European football as late in the season as March. However, defeat would see Real move top and keep the Blues' European fate very much in the balance.
Both sides have kept five clean sheets in their last six UEFA Women’s Champions League ties, so it could be a tight contest in the capital. But the WSL champions aren't the only team in European action this week.
London rivals Arsenal also return to the Champions League stage, with a trip to Turin on Thursday. The Gunners face Juventus in the wonderful setting of the Allianz Stadium, also looking a third straight win.
Back-to-back successes over defending champions Lyon (5-1) and Zurich (3-1) have sent them to the top of Group C. The Italians are second with four points, setting up what should be a thrilling encounter.
Jonas Eidevall had to navigate a second qualifying round to reach the group stage, knocking out Ajax over two legs and will now be looking to advance the last eight to match their run of last season. Back then Arsenal were knocked out by Wolfsburg, but the win over Lyon on matchday one was a statement to the rest of the continent that they are serious contenders this time around.
If we get another double success for our WSL clubs this week, the rest of Europe will be wary. Maybe this could be the year that not one, but two English sides go deep in Europe's premier club competition.
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