FC Barcelona hosts Arsenal at the Camp Nou on Thursday at 18:45, marking a high-stakes clash between the two most recent winners of the Women’s Champions League.
The match is a decisive encounter for both sides in the league phase of the competition, with Barcelona aiming to avenge their defeat in the 2025 final in Lisbon.
That Lisbon final remains a defining moment for the Catalan side. Stina Blackstenius scored the lone goal in that match, denying Barcelona the title and changing the course of their continental campaign.
Since that loss, the team coached by Pere Romeu has maintained a 14-match unbeaten streak in the Champions League, recording 12 victories and two draws. This run includes an undefeated start to the current campaign with wins over Paris FC, Roma, and Koge.
A victory on Thursday would propel Barcelona to the top of the league phase standings, allowing them to surpass the Olympique Lyonnais side managed by Jonatan Giráldez. While leading the table does not guarantee a simpler path to the final in Warsaw on May 29, 2026, finishing in the top four is critical to securing a direct spot in the quarter-finals and avoiding the preliminary round.
Barcelona Faces Injuries While Chasing Club Records
This match represents the most demanding test for Barcelona to date, particularly as the squad deals with several notable absences. Midfielders Vicky López and Kika Nazareth, along with forward Kerolin Nicoli, are unavailable due to muscular injuries. Defender Laia Aleixandri also remains sidelined as she concludes her recovery from a serious knee injury. Conversely, Irene Paredes has rejoined training and could return to the lineup.
The fixture offers Barcelona the opportunity to approach a club record. The team is currently one match away from equaling their longest unbeaten streak in the competition, a milestone established between 2022 and 2024. Despite the roster challenges, the squad looks to continue the momentum that led them to their fourth title in Oslo last year.
🟡 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔 🔵 🆚 FC Barcelona 🕟 5.45pm (UK) 🏆 @UWCL 🏟️ Camp Nou pic.twitter.com/PA5KzXMkIW
Arsenal’s Opportunity in the League Phase
Arsenal arrives in Barcelona sitting fifth in the standings with seven points. The London-based club has the opportunity to break into the top four with a win in a match that was originally scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed due to a general strike in Spain.
History favors the English side in direct matchups, with Arsenal winning three of the last five meetings against Barcelona. Their most notable recent success remains the 1-0 victory in the 2025 final. To find a Barcelona win, one must look back to the 2021 group stage, when the Spanish side secured a 4-0 victory.
Watch Barcelona Versus Arsenal on Disney+, TV3, and 3Cat
The match between Barcelona and Arsenal is the feature of the fourth round of the Women’s Champions League phase. Viewers can follow the action on Thursday, November 12, starting at 18:45. The game will be available to watch via Disney+, as well as on TV3 and 3Cat.
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