UEFA Women’s Champions League: Round two preview, qualifying fixture schedule, and how to watch live action
The key things to know ahead of round two of the UWCL qualifiers, as 12 teams look to book a spot in the group stages.
Football
Just two games stand between 24 teams and a place in European football’s most prestigious women's club competition: the UEFA Champions League.
A place in the group stages is up for grabs for the winners of the 12 two-legged ties in the second qualifying round.
The first-round qualifiers had already thrown up some dramatic results, with Arsenal suffering a shock early exit from the competition, losing to Paris FC on penalties.
Some equally exciting games are coming up this week, with the first legs of the ties unfolding across Tuesday 10 October, and Wednesday 11 October.
With that in mind, here are the key things you need to know as some of Europe’s elite battle it out for a spot in the group stages.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - APRIL 30: Geraldine Reuteler of Eintracht Frankfurt Women celebrates the team's third goal with teammates during the FLYERALARM Frauen-Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and TSG Hoffenheim at Stadion am Brentanobad on April 30, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
UEFA Women’s Champions League: Round 2 Preview
How do the round two qualifiers work?
It’s fairly straightforward - lose on aggregate across two legs and you are out. Win and you advance to the group stages of the 2023/24 edition of the competition.
Tuesday’s fixtures are star-studded with some of Europe’s most famous clubs and home to last year’s finalists VfL Wolfsburg.
Action kicks off with Eintracht Frankfurt, four-time winners of the UWCL - the second most decorated team behind Lyon. The German side already knocked out another top team in Juventus, coming through the first round of qualifying to set up a clash with Sparta Praha. The Czech club finished runners-up behind Slavia Praha in their league to immediately advance to this stage.
At the same time, in Paris, last year’s UWCL finalists Wolfsburg will be taking on Paris FC. The French side have already sent last year’s semi-finalists in Arsenal packing and will be determined to cause yet another upset by knocking out their German opponents. Wolfsburg, meanwhile, will be looking to go one better this term and that begins on Tuesday.
There is also a competition debut for English side Manchester United, who will welcome the Champions League to Leigh Sports Village on Tuesday for the very first time. They finished second in the English Women’s Super League last season - their best-ever finish in the league. They have a tough ask to beat regular UWCL competitors Paris Saint-Germain, though, and PSG will travel to Manchester for the first leg before hosting the return.
There are plenty more exciting match-ups coming, too, with Real Madrid facing Valerenga on Wednesday, along with Zurich vs Ajax and Roma vs Vorskla to name a few.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Rachel Williams of Manchester United celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's second goal during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on October 01, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
UEFA Women’s Champions League: Round 2 Fixtures
Here are the games to look forward to over the next fortnight, with the first legs happening this week and the second coming next…
Tuesday 10 October
- Eintracht Frankfurt vs Sparta Praha – 18:00 BST/19:00 CET kick-off
- Paris FC vs Wolfsburg – 18:00 BST/19:00 CET kick-off
- Valur vs St. Polten – 19:00 BST/20:00 CET kick-off
- Manchester United vs Paris Saint-Germain – 20:00 BST/21:00 CET
Wednesday 11 October
- Roma vs Vorskla – 13:30 BST/14:30 CET
- Apollon vs Benfica – 14:00 BST/15:00 CET
- Spartak Subotica vs Rosengard – 14:00 BST/15:00 CET
- Slavia Praha vs Olimpia Cluj – 17:00 BST/18:00 CET
- Hacken vs Twente – 17:30 BST/18:30 CET
- Zurich vs Ajax – 19:00 BST/20:00 CET
- Real Madrid vs Valerenga – 19:00 BST/20:00 CET
- Glasgow City vs Brann – 19:35 BST/20:35 CET
How can I watch the action live?
In much of Europe, DAZN only has the rights to show UWCL action from the group stages onwards - meaning the qualifiers come down to the club to air them live for fans.
For example, Manchester United will be airing their inaugural UWCL home game live on MUTV and ManUtd.com, with home clubs taking charge of airing coverage.