The UEFA Women's Champions League Round 2 have been drawn, with plenty of Aussies fighting for a spot in the UWCL group stage.
The revamped competition format will feature a 16-team group stage, replacing the round of 16. The UWCL Round 2 will determine which 12 teams will join title holders Barcelona, Sam Kerr's Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern München in the group stage.
Round 2 is split into two paths: the champions path and the league path. Both will consist of two-legged ties to determine the group stage.
The Champions Path
Vålerenga v BK Häcken
Swedish Damallsvenskan Champions, BK Häcken are looking to improve on their Round of 32 appearance when they take on the Norwegian side Vålerenga in Round 2. Dylan Holmes will be hoping to make her maiden appearance in the Champions League for BK Häcken.
BK Häcken currently sits in second place on the Damallsvenskan ladder, just behind Teagan Micah and Charlotte Grant's FC Rosengård, and will be looking to build on this momentum in the Champions League.
Vålerenga vs BK Häcken
Date: Thursday, September 2
Kick-off: 3:00 am AEST
BK Häcken vs Vålerenga
Date: Thursday, September 9
Kick-off: 3:00 am AEST
The League Path
Levante UD v Olympique Lyonnais
Off the back of pre-season friendlies against reigning champions, FC Barcelona and Portland Thorns, Ellie Carpenter's Lyon are looking to get back to their winning ways in the UWCL.
After their record-breaking five successive Champions League title run was broken last year, the French side is now out for redemption.
They were eliminated in the quarter-finals by rivals Paris Saint-Germain, who would also go on to break Lyon's 14 consecutive domestic league title record when they claimed the Division 1 Féminine trophy.
Carpenter made history, becoming the first Australian woman to win a UEFA Women's Champions League medal in the 2019/20 season.
With new signings of Dutch playmaker Daniëlle van de Donk from Arsenal and Chilean shot-stopper Christiane Endler from PSG, OL is certainly going to be a team to watch in the UWCL this season.
Levante UD vs Lyon
Date: Thursday, September 2
Kick-off: 5:00 am AEST
Lyon vs Levante UD
Date: Thursday, September 9
Kick-off: 2:00 am AEST
Arsenal v SK Slavia Praha
After defeating PSV in their Round 1 fixture 3-1, Arsenal will face a familiar foe in SK Slavia Praha. The Gunners defeated the side from the Czech Republic 13-2 on aggregate in the 2019/20 UWCL season.
Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema netted seven goals across the two fixtures. Steph Catley played a full 90-minute game against PSV, linking up well with Katie McCabe on the wing.
After missing the 2020/21 UWCL season, Arsenal is hoping to lift the trophy once again, like they did all the way back in 2006/07.
Caitlin Foord will be looking to net her first goal in the UWCL, after making her UWCL debut in Arsenal's 2-1 loss against PSG.
Lydia Williams has yet to appear for the Gunners in a UWCL fixture.
Arsenal vs SK Slavia Praha
Date: Wednesday, September 1
Kick-off: 4:30 am AEST
Live on: arsenal.com
SK Slavia Praha vs Arsenal
Date: Friday, September 10
Kick-off: 2:30 am AEST
Real Madrid v Manchester City
After finishing 2nd in the FA WSL season, Manchester City is hoping a handful of new additions to the squad will be the key to claiming the UWCL title for the first time.
After being knocked out in last seasons' tournament by eventual champions, FC Barcelona, City will be looking to get their campaign off to a strong start against Real Madrid.
Newly signed Hayley Raso and Alanna Kennedy will be hoping to make their maiden appearance in the Champions League for City.
This is the sixth successive season City have played in the tournament, while newcomers Real Madrid will be playing in the tournament for the first time.
With several world-class players across both squads, this match-up will be one to watch.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Date: Wednesday, September 1
Kick-off: 5:00 am AEST
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Date: Thursday, September 9
Kick-off: 4:00 am AEST
FC Rosengård v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
After finishing second in the Damallsvenskan 2019/20 season, FC Rosengård is looking to improve on their quarter-final appearance when they take on the German side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in Round 2. Youngsters Teagan Micah and Charlotte Grant will be hoping to make their maiden appearances in the Champions League for Rosengård.
FC Rosengård are off to a blistering start in the current Damallsvenskan season, sitting in first place. After making her debut for Rosengård last week in a 6-0 win over Örebro, Micah is jumping at the chance to make her much-awaited debut in the Champions League.
FC Rosengård vs TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Date: Wednesday, September 1
Kick-off: 3:00 am AEST
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim vs FC Rosengård
Date: Thursday, September 9
Kick-off: 3:00 am AEST
