Barca to face Man. City in Women’s Champions League group stage

Holders Barcelona will play Manchester City in the group stage of the Women’s Champions League, while record eight-time winners Lyon were drawn alongside familiar foes Wolfsburg on Friday.

Barcelona, who have won three of the past four finals, will also face Austrian champions St Polten and group-stage debutants Hammarby in Group D. 

Two-time semi-finalists City, runners-up in England last season, are appearing in the group stage for the first time since its introduction in 2021-22.

Lyon, beaten by Barcelona in last season’s final, will meet Italian champions Roma and newcomers Galatasaray in Group A, along with two-time winners Wolfsburg. 

Lyon and Wolfsburg have played in four previous finals, with the French club triumphing on three occasions.   

English champions Chelsea go up against Real Madrid for the third time in a row in the group stage, with debutants Twente and Celtic completing the line-up in Group B.

Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus will battle it out in Group C along with Norwegians Valerenga. Arsenal are the lone English club to lift the trophy, in 2007. 

Juventus knocked out two-time finalists Paris Saint-Germain this week in the second qualifying round.

The 16-team group stage begins on October 8 and runs until December 18.

Group A

Lyon (FRA), Wolfsburg (GER), Roma (ITA), Galatasaray (TUR).

Group B

Chelsea (ENG), Real Madrid (ESP), Twente (NED), Celtic (SCO).

Group C

Bayern Munich (GER), Arsenal (ENG), Juventus (ITA), Valerenga (NOR).

Group D

Barcelona (ESP), Manchester City (ENG), St Polten (AUT), Hammarby (SWE).