Women's Champions League: Manchester City vs Barcelona facts

Holders Barcelona begin their defence of the UEFA Women's Champions League in England against Manchester City.

The teams are joined in Group D by St. Pölten and Hammarby.

Previous meetings

2020/21 Women's Champions League quarter-finals
Barcelona 3-0 Manchester City
Manchester City 2-1 Barcelona
Barcelona took control of the tie through goals from Asisat Oshoala (35), Mariona Caldentey (53pen) and Jennifer Hermoso (86) in the first leg in Monza on 24 March 2021, Chloe Kelly missing a second-half penalty for the visitors.

City's Janine Beckie (20) and Samantha Mewis (68pen) struck either side of another Oshoala goal to secure a second-leg win for the English club, who bowed out 2-4 on aggregate against opponents who went on to claim the trophy for the first time.

Form guide

Manchester City

Record vs Spanish clubs W1 D3 L5 F6 A13
Home record vs Spanish clubs W1 D1 L2

That second-leg defeat of Barcelona is City's only win in their nine games against Spanish teams.

City have been eliminated from the Women's Champions League by Liga F opposition on three other occasions. They lost in successive seasons to Atlético de Madrid, in the 2018/19 round of 32 and the last in 2019/20, recording two draws and two defeats in those four matches.

Their most recent three fixtures were all against Real Madrid, a 1-2 aggregate defeat in 2021/22 round 2 (1-1 a, 0-1 h) and a 0-1 loss in the 2022/23 round 1 final in Madrid.

Having lost in the early rounds in 2021/22 and 2022/23, and not featured at all in 2023/24, City are participating in the group stage for the first time this season.

The Women's Super League side reached the Champions League semi-finals on their first two entries, losing to eventual champions Lyon on both occasions – 2-3 in 2016/17 (1-3 h, 1-0 a) and 0-1 in 2017/18 (0-0 h, 0-1 a).

They began this season's European campaign with an 8-0 aggregate defeat of Paris FC in round 2. Gareth Taylor's side were 5-0 first-leg victors in Paris on 18 September, Jess Park (38, 58) scoring twice alongside goals from Vivianne Miedema (36), Mary Fowler (49) and Kelly (79). Kelly (2) opened the scoring in the second leg in Manchester, before a Khadija Shaw (31, 65pen) sealed a 3-0 win.

City missed out on the Women's Super League title on goal difference to Chelsea last season. They won 18 of their 22 league games (D1 L3).

Barcelona

Record vs English clubs W6 D2 L5 F21 A14
Away record vs English clubs W3 D1 L2

Barcelona were winless in their first four contests against English opponents but have been victorious in five of the last seven games, most recently a 2-0 semi-final second-leg win over Chelsea last season to complete a 2-1 aggregate victory.

The Catalans have won their last three away games against teams from England, and beat Chelsea in the 2021 final in Gothenburg to win the Women's Champions League for the first time.

Barcelona retained the trophy by defeating eight-time winners Lyon 2-0 in last season's final in Bilbao, goals from Aitana Bonmatí (63) and Alexia Putellas (90+5) helping the Spanish side win their third title.

It was their second in succession after beating Wolfsburg 3-2 in the 2023 final in Eindhoven in which Patri Guijarro (48, 50) and Fridolina Rolfö (70) found the net as the Spanish side rallied from two goals down at the break.

Barcelona have reached the final in five of the past six seasons, losing to Lyon in 2019 (1-4) and 2022 (1-3) in addition to their three triumphs.

The Spanish side have won 16 of their 18 group fixtures, their sole defeat a 1-3 loss at Bayern München on Matchday 4 in 2022/23.

Barcelona have won three trophies in 2024. In January they lifted the Supercopa de España Femenina before claiming a record-extending ninth Liga F title in a dominant league campaign consisting of 29 wins, one draw and no defeats. They clinched their tenth Copa de la Reina – also a record – with an 8-0 final victory against Real Sociedad on 18 May.

In charge since 2021, Jonatan Giráldez departed as head coach after last season's triumph; he has been succeeded by assistant Pere Romeu.

Key facts

City have lost only two of their last 12 home Women's Champions League matches (W8 D2).

The Cityzens have kept ten clean sheets in their previous 16 home European games.

Barcelona have lost only one of their last 18 European matches (W15 D2).

The Spanish side have scored in 40 of their last 42 fixtures in the competition.