What to look out for on Thursday in the UEFA Women's Champions League
Thursday, December 8, 2022
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We preview Thursday's group stage action.
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A run of three straight UEFA Women's Champions League midweeks will decide the group stage, with some teams able to book quarter-final places.
We preview the action.
Wednesday 7 December:
Group C
Lyon 4-0 Zürich, Arsenal 1-0 Juventus
Group D
Rosengård 1-3 Benfica, Bayern 3-1 Barcelona
Thursday 8 December:
Group A
Vllaznia vs Paris (18:45), Real Madrid vs Chelsea (21:00)
Group B
Wolfsburg vs Roma (18:45), St. Pölten vs Slavia Praha (21:00)
All times CET
Perfect pair look to clinch groups
Chelsea surged to nine points on Matchday 3. The Blues, who beat Real Madrid 2-0, travel to Spain with a five-point lead over both their hosts and Paris Saint-Germain, knowing a fourth victory would take them through. Madrid, however, will be desperate not to fall behind Paris, who host the Spanish side on Matchday 5.
Winner takes all at Wolfsburg
European debutants Roma had already defeated Slavia and St. Pölten but the real test came when they welcomed Wolfsburg and although the Italian side were not able to hold their early lead, the 1-1 draw showed their prowess. Both teams are now on seven points, four ahead of St. Pölten, and even if victory for either side does not necessarily seal progress, it would leave them clear favourites to end up with first place and quarter-final seeding.
Roma coach Alessandro Spugna described the first game as a "beautiful night" and hailed his team's "courage" in holding out as Wolfsburg pushed for a win. They will need that quality again considering the form of Wolfsburg's prolific goalscorer Ewa Pajor, who not only has confirmed her return to top condition with goals in all of their group games so far, but has also been named Player of the Match each time.
When are the rest of the Women's Champions League group stage games?
Matchday 5: 15/16 December
Matchday 6: 21/22 December