The UEFA Women’s Champions League delivered plenty of talking points in the latest round of matches, with heavyweights Chelsea and Manchester City surprisingly having to grind out wins against Celtic and Hammarby respectively. While the favorites eventually prevailed, it was the sea of passionate Hammarby supporters who arguably made the biggest impact, raising the question of how other clubs can boost their away followings.
Chelsea and Man City Made to Work Hard for Wins
Reigning WSL champions Chelsea had to come from behind to narrowly beat Scottish side Celtic 2-1. Manager Sonia Bompastor heavily rotated her squad, resting key players like Millie Bright, and it showed as the Blues labored to create chances. They had to rely on their squad depth and winning mentality to ultimately secure the three points.
Similarly, Manchester City could only manage a workmanlike 2-0 win over Swedish debutants Hammarby. City controlled possession but struggled to break down Hammarby’s disciplined defense, with the absence of star winger Lauren Hemp keenly felt. Manager Gareth Taylor admitted his team was “a little bit off” in the final third.
With both English giants facing each other in a massive WSL clash this weekend, the unconvincing European performances have taken on added significance. Will the Champions League exertions take a toll or can the rivals raise their game for the big occasion? Chelsea may have a slight edge being at home, but City’s goalscoring depth means it’s too close to call.
Hammarby Fans Show the Way
While the Swedish champions fell to defeat in Manchester, their supporters undoubtedly won the day. Nearly 400 Hammarby fans made the trip and created a boisterous atmosphere, complete with drums, banners and constant singing for the full 90 minutes.
My daughter looked at me with sad eyes and asked: ‘Dad, why isn’t anyone singing? Why isn’t there any drums?
Simon Sandstrom, on starting Hammarby’s singing section
The traveling Hammarby contingent demonstrated how a dedicated away support can enhance the spectacle of women’s football. Their presence was the culmination of a decade-long project by the club’s official supporters’ group to build a vibrant fan culture, both home and away. It takes sustained effort, but their impact cannot be overstated.
Other clubs looking to emulate Hammarby’s success would do well to meaningfully engage with their fans. Appointing dedicated liaison officers, assisting with travel arrangements, and fostering a welcoming environment can all help encourage supporters to hit the road. With UEFA also pledging increased investment, it’s the perfect time to get creative in growing away attendances across the board.
Big Wins Raise Questions
Overshadowing the marquee clashes in the UWCL this week were a slew of one-sided results elsewhere. Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Lyon and Wolfsburg all racked up convincing wins, with the Catalan giants hitting seven goals past Austrian side St. Pölten. These mismatches raised concerns over the gulf between Europe’s elite and the rest.
The disparities are perhaps inevitable at this juncture of the women’s game, with limited resources and experience hampering the progress of many newcomers and lower-ranked sides. Initiatives like UEFA’s planned changes to the UWCL format next season, which will see such teams host higher seeds in one-off ties, may help level the playing field a little.
Ultimately, there are no quick fixes but patient investment and a commitment to steady growth can bear fruit over time. The strength of any competition lies in its competitiveness, and that is a long-term project for women’s football. In the meantime, mismatches are likely to occur but they shouldn’t detract from the strides being made or the magic of seeing clubs from all corners of the continent face off.
Arsenal Reignite Under Eidevall
One team who had no problems this week was Arsenal, who turned on the style to dispatch a strong Juventus side 4-0 in Turin. It was a statement win for the Gunners under interim boss Renée Slegers, who seems to have quickly lifted the cloud of uncertainty that had enveloped the club as Jonas Eidevall’s tenure petered out.
From the free-flowing moves for Frida Maanum’s opener to the clinical finishing that sealed the win late on, this was an Arsenal side playing with a newfound verve and confidence again. Slegers has her team humming, with their domestic form also picking up, and Juventus simply had no answer for their intensity.
A closer look at the stats shows Juve did create openings and saw a lot of the ball, but as Slegers noted, the Gunners raised their game at the crucial moments. With a north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on the horizon, the signs are promising that this sleeping giant is beginning to stir once more.
Key Takeaways
- Chelsea and Man City made to work hard for UWCL wins ahead of WSL showdown
- Hammarby fans show the impact of strong away support and a vibrant fan culture
- One-sided results elsewhere raise questions over competitive balance in UWCL
- Arsenal back on song under Slegers, thrash Juventus 4-0 in statement victory
The UWCL continues to deliver compelling storylines and talking points, even as some results go to script. The ongoing challenge is to sustainably grow the competitiveness and stature of the women’s game, and initiatives like UEFA’s investment and format changes are positive steps in that direction.
In the meantime, the onus is on clubs, authorities and fans to keep pushing things forward. Whether it’s Chelsea and Man City refining their squads, Hammarby rallying their supporters, or Arsenal kickstarting a new era, progress is a collective effort. The women’s football journey is well underway—the key is to maintain that upward momentum.
