Round 2 of UWCL qualifying begins today with four matches today and eight more matches tomorrow.

Ahead of the inaugural ShePlays UWCL Fantasy League, we have done a couple of previews for Paris FC v Wolfsburg and Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain. Both these matches from the league path and the second leg on Wednesday 18th October. 

The other matches today are Eintracht Frankfurt v Sparta Prague (also league path), and Valur v St. Pölten. All the winners from this round will receive a ticket to the group stage and be available for selection in UWCL Fantasy.

Paris FC v Wolfsburg

Paris FC qualified for this match after defeating Arsenal in the first round of qualifying back in September. They finished 3rd in the 2022/23 Division 1 Feminine season. Domestically, the squad has a competitive history with their compatriots through a local derby in PSG. Paris, under their previous moniker Juvisy, have reached the semi-final once, back in 2013. 

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie had a string of outstanding performances at this summer’s World Cup for Nigeria, especially the penalty save vs. Canada which earned her POTM. Nnadozie was called upon once again in Paris’ match against Arsenal, saving two penalties in their shootout to progress. Mathilde Bourdieu scored twice in quick succession versus Arsenal and has continued her form with a goal and assist in D1F.

Despite leading Barcelona 2-0 at halftime, Wolfsburg finished as runners-up last season. Back to back UWCL champions in 2013 and in 2014, and they have been runners up a total of four times. The squad’s UWCL experience includes Alexandra Popp who reached  glory with the team on both occasions. Previous winners Kathrin Hendrich and Svenja Huth won with Eintracht Frankfurt. Wolfsburg’s historical strength is further bolstered as they have always qualified out of the group stage. Their worst-season finish has been the quarter-finals. They qualify for the league from their second-place finish in the Bundesliga.

Popp is joined in attack by Ewa Pajor, who was last season’s top-scorer with 9 goals, including a goal and an assist in the final. Wolfsburg will have notable absences through injuries to midfielder Lena Oberdorf (potentially) and goalkeeper Merle Frohms, who will not travel after picking up a concussion in training.

Both teams have begun the season successfully with three consecutive league wins. However, experience can count for a lot in European competitions. 

Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain

This is the first time Manchester United are competing to play Champions League football. They finished second in the WSL last season, two points behind the holders Chelsea. It was their first time  progressing past 4th place since their founding in 2018. Though a debutante team, the side does contain Champions League experience. Defender Hannah Blundell scored for her former team’s Chelsea’s previous UWCL fixture against PSG in 2019. Plus, forwards Nikita Paris and Melvine Malard (currently on loan at United) won the 2020 Champions League with Olympique Lyonnais.

Goalkeeper Mary Earps is another who returns to the UWCl. A popular pick for ShePlays, and who now holds significant achievements – most recently the World Cup’s golden glove. United’s strong defensive line also includes the centre-back pairing of Maya LeTissier and Millie Turner. Creative attacking players include Leah Galton and Geyse, the latter who moved to the club as a summer signing from Barcelona. 

PSG brings a considerable Champions league history: achieving runners up twice, and progressing through to the semi-finals four times. After finishing second in their group last season, the side were beaten in the quarter-finals by Wolfsburg. Jocelyn Prêcheur, who previously served as their assistant coach, has been in the role of interim head coach since last month.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto crucially returns this season back from injury for PSG. She became the club’s all time goalscorer in 2022 through providing more than 15 goals a domestic season since 2017. Players to watch also include Sakina Karchaoui, recognised for her progressive carries along the left-wing, and midfielder Grace Geyoro. Both have scored for PSG so far in D1F.

There is a chance for the English debutants to disrupt PSG’s progression, as this is set to be the closer of the two ties. 

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