The UEFA Women's Champions League Round 2 continues, with plenty of Aussies fighting for a spot in the UWCL group stage when the second leg kicks off tomorrow.
The second leg of round 2 of the UWCL kicks off tomorrow morning, with our Aussies are playing for a spot in the group stage. 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
BK Häcken v Vålerenga
Häcken will welcome the Norwegian side Vålerenga for the second leg of round 2, after winning their last encounter 3-1, Häcken will have confidence that a solid showing at home will secure their spot in the group stage.
Dylan Holmes has yet to make her Champions League debut but could play a role in securing the win tomorrow morning.
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.
BK Häcken vs Vålerenga
Date: Thursday, September 9
Kick-off: 3:00 am AEST
The League Path
Olympique Lyonnais v Levante UD
Lyon's record-breaking five successive Champions League title run was broken last year and the French side is now out for redemption. After winning the first leg of the fixture 2-1, Lyon will host Spanish side Levante UD.
OL will be without French defender Selma Bacha, after receiving a red card in the last encounter.
Ellie Carpenter started in Lyon's last UWCL game, getting crucial minutes after missing Lyon's pre-season friendlies.
The three goals in the teams' last meetings all came after the 80th minute, so the home side getting on the scoresheet early will be essential.
Lyon vs Levante UD
Date: Thursday, September 9
Kick-off: 2:00 am AEST
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SK Slavia Praha v Arsenal
The Gunners defeated the side from the Czech Republic 13-2 on aggregate in the 2019/20 UWCL season, with the current aggregate 3-0 in Arsenal favour ahead of the second leg.
Steph Catley started in the last fixture, with Caitlin Foord coming on as a substitute.
With a quick turnaround after last weekend's hard-fought game with Chelsea, rotation of the squad will be key.
SK Slavia Praha vs Arsenal
Date: Friday, September 10
Kick-off: 2:30 am AEST
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Manchester City v Real Madrid
Manchester City welcome Champion's League newcomers Real Madrid for the second leg of round 2. A stoppage-time goal to Madrid in the last fixture saw the game end in a 1-1 draw. With one of Madrid's superstars, Kosovare Asllani ruled out of the first game with illness, this game will have everything on the line.
Hayley Raso made her UWCL debut in City's last game, while Alanna Kennedy has yet to debut in the tournament.
City's 4-0 showing of Everton over the weekend would have injected some confidence in the team, with several new signings linking up well.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Date: Thursday, September 9
Kick-off: 4:00 am AEST
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim v FC Rosengård
After a disappointing 3-0 defeat in the last encounter between the two sides, Rosengård will be hoping to get on the scoresheet this time around. Teagan Micah made her UWCL debut in goals for her side, while Charlotte Grant has yet to appear in a UWCL game.
FC Rosengård is off to a blistering start in the current Damallsvenskan season currently sitting in first place. The side will need to call upon this domestic success to fight for a spot in the group stage.
BK Häcken vs Vålerenga
Date: Thursday, September 9
Kick-off: 3:00 am AEST