Women’s Champions League: The FCB women’s chances of winning the title! | OneFootball

The first phase of the women’s Champions League season is history, and from the FCB women’s team’s point of view, the outcome is clearly positive. Four wins from six games, a strong 13 points and direct entry into the quarter-finals – together with Chelsea, Lyon and FC Barcelona. In Munich, they can therefore dream: of a long spring, and perhaps even of the big time

Favorite roles clearly distributed – and Bayern right in the middle

Although the title fight is only entering the hot phase, the bookmakers have already positioned themselves. On the best betting apps for iOS and Android, FC Barcelona are the clear top favourites for the Champions League title. The Catalans marched confidently through the league phase, remaining unbeaten and picking up five wins and a draw. With world-class players such as Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor and Caroline Graham Hansen, the reigning runners-up’s squad is outstanding in almost every position

But Barcelona are not alone. Olympique Lyon and Chelsea FC also survived the league phase without defeat and are considered the biggest challengers. Both teams impressed with dominant possession, many great chances and defensive stability. FC Bayern are just behind them in this group of favourites. Experts speak of outsider chances – but the victory against defending champions Arsenal FC shows that the Munich team certainly has what it takes to keep up with Europe’s elite

Figures that give hope – but also send warning signals

Offensively, FC Bayern are one of the better teams in the competition. 14 goals means they have the fourth-best attacking line-up in the league phase – only Barcelona, Lyon and Chelsea were more prolific. What is striking is that Munich did not lack chances. More than three great opportunities per game speak for themselves. However, almost 60% of these situations went unused. The consequence is clear: efficiency must increase in the knockout phase

Defensively, the figures reveal far more areas for improvement. FC Bayern conceded 13 goals – more than any other team in the knockout stages. The detailed statistics also reveal deficits: 20.5 cleared balls per game (12th place), seven intercepted balls (16th place) and 17.7 tackles (9th place). The 7-1 defeat to FC Barcelona was particularly painful. To be a serious contender in the title race, the team’s work against the ball must become far more compact

Individual skills as a trump card in the title race

Despite all the question marks, there are plenty of reasons for optimism in Munich. First and foremost Klara Bühl, who has been one of the most eye-catching players in the entire competition so far. Eight assists – the best figure in the tournament – plus 5.2 key passes per game and eight big chances created. Bühl is the creative engine of Bayern’s game. Pernille Harder has also impressed: five goals, one assist and, together with Evelyne Viens, top scorer in the Champions League. Complemented by strong performances from Momoko Tanikawa and Stine Pedersen, it is clear that FC Bayern has high-quality players in all parts of the team – a decisive factor for the upcoming knockout matches

An encouraging draw!

The quarter-final pairings were drawn on 18 December – and they promise some big clashes. Top favourites FC Barcelona will face the winner of Paris FC v Real Madrid, including a possible new Clásico. Lyon will take on the winner of VfL Wolfsburg v Juventus Turin. Chelsea await the winner of the FC Arsenal v OH Leuven clash, where an English derby could provide additional excitement

FC Bayern will face the winner of Atlético Madrid against Manchester United in the quarter-finals. Atlético is no unknown opponent: in the league phase, the Munich side fought their way to a 2-2 draw in Madrid, with Atlético scoring the equaliser late on. The clash showed that Bayern is absolutely on a par in terms of play. Manchester United, on the other hand, collected twelve points, but is considered to be slightly weaker overall. All in all, FC Bayern can be satisfied with the draw – because in both cases, the chances of reaching the semi-finals are realistic. And who knows: after that, anything is possible.