Women’s UEFA Champions League 2023: Semi-finals Preview, schedule and how to watch

We’re less than two months away from the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

Just four football teams remain in with a shot of winning this prestigious competition: Barcelona, Chelsea, Wolfsburg, and Arsenal.

With reigning champions Lyon knocked out after an intense quarter-final bout with Chelsea, that was subsequently settled on penalties, the door is open for a new team to be crowned Europe’s elite.

FC Barcelona are arguably the favourites to advance to the final: the Blaugrana were the only team since Frankfurt in 2015 to disrupt Lyon’s reign of dominance when they were crowned UCL winners in 2021, defeating Chelsea 4-0 in the final.

The Blues will undoubtedly be seeking revenge in this showpiece match, as they go in search of their first-ever piece of silverware in this competition.

Arsenal and Wolfsburg will contest the second semi-final, with both teams aiming to win their second and third titles, respectively, and reach the pinnacle of women's football.

As we approach these highly anticipated matches, let's take a look at how the semi-finals are shaping up.

2023 UEFA Women’s Champions League: The four semi-finalists

Barcelona are no doubt considered the favourite to claim another UCL title. Despite boasting a similar history to the remaining teams, having earned their first trophy in this competition in 2021, the strength of their squad is simply undeniable – even in the absence of captain Alexia Putellas, who could yet make her return from a lengthy ACL injury later this season.

With a midfield trio of Aitana Bonamti, Keira Walsh, and Patri Guijarro, the Catalan club have been largely untouchable and recently extended their league form to 60 games unbeaten. But their London opponents will present just the latest difficult challenge for them to overcome. With an in-from Sam Kerr, as well as Pernille Harder returning from a long-standing injury, their attacking options are enough to pose a threat to any defence, even that of the Spanish club. Norwegian Guro Reiten could be their difference-maker, but there may be a slight concern at the back as first-choice defensive partnership Millie Bright and Kadeisha Buchanan face a race to be fit in time.

After a comprehensive victory over Bayern Munich, Arsenal will be full of confidence coming into yet another tie with German opposition. Even without the likes of Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead – who both sustained ACL injuries earlier in the season – they have looked like a complete side with attacking threat from all over the pitch, namely that of advanced midfielder Frida Maanum who is having a standout season. They will, however, miss captain Kim Little, after the Scottish international was recently ruled out for the remainder of the season having picked up an injury in the second leg of their quarter-final fixture.

The north London club will have to overcome a high-flying Wolfsburg side who will come into Saturday’s fixture full of confidence, dispatching German rivals Bayern in some style, with five different goals from four scorers. Ewa Pajor is a continuous threat leading the line, and is supported by talented youngsters Sveindis Jonsdottir and Jule Brand. There will be a personal connection for a handful of players, too, with both Jill Roord and Dominique Janssen set for an Arsenal homecoming.

Schedule and how to watch 2023 UEFA Women’s Champions League Semi-finals

Here’s how the schedule for the semi-finals currently stand:

SATURDAY 22 APRIL

Chelsea vs Barcelona, 12:30 BST / 13:30 CET

SUNDAY 23 APRIL

Wolfsburg vs Arsenal, 14:30 BST / 15:30 CET

THURSDAY 27 APRIL

Barcelona vs Chelsea, 17:45 BST / 18:45 CET

MONDAY 1 MAY

Arsenal vs Wolfsburg, 17:45 BST / 18:45 CET

International streaming service, DAZN, will have all of the action from the UCL live across their YouTube channel.