MX23RW : Monday, December 23 21:51:50| >> :600:641701:641701:

Chelsea to take on Serie A holders Juventus in Women's Champions League

Chelsea to take on Serie A holders Juventus in Women's Champions League
© Reuters
Arsenal have been drawn against European champions Barcelona in the group stage.

Reigning Women's Super League champions Chelsea were handed a tough draw for the group stages of the new-look Champions League.

Chelsea lost last season's final to Barcelona in Gothenburg but Emma Hayes' side were seeded in pot one for Monday's draw having won the WSL.

In the competition's first-ever group stage, the Blues were drawn in Group A alongside Juventus, who have won the last four Serie A titles and are managed by former Arsenal head coach Joe Montemurro.

Hayes and her players lost the Women's Champions League final to Barcelona last season.
Hayes and her players lost the Women's Champions League final to Barcelona last season. (Adam Ihse/PA)

They will also come up against DFB Pokal holders Wolfsburg, having beaten the German side in the quarter-finals last season, and Swiss champions Servette – who overcame Glasgow City to reach this stage.

Despite the competition, Chelsea will still be favourites to progress as group winners, with the top two from each of the four groups qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Arsenal came through two qualifying rounds to reach the group stage having finished third in the WSL last season.

The Gunners will face holders Barcelona in Group C, where they were also paired with Hoffenheim and HB Koge.

Real Madrid, who eliminated Manchester City in the qualifiers, are in Group B along with Paris Saint-Germain, Breidablik and Kharkiv.

As well as a reformatted tournament, the Women's Champions League has a new television deal in place from the group stage onwards, with the matches streaming free on DAZN's YouTube channel.

ID:463584:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4583:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Emma Hayes

Click here for more stories about Chelsea Women

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Netherlands and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber pictured in June 2021
Read Next:
Tottenham 'open talks with Ajax over January Timber move'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!