Teams: Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Roma, Ajax
On paper Group C is arguably, one of the tougher groups, featuring some of the most iconic teams in European football. Bayern and PSG will surely start as favourites to qualify. However, Roma and Ajax were some of the best sides available from the remaining two pots. Ajax’s coach Suzanne Bakker has vowed to “make things as difficult as possible” in a group she claims to be the strongest.
Bayern are looking to be the 5th German side to win this competition, having fallen slightly short in recent seasons. Two-time finalists PSG also have strong aspirations to add their name to the list of UWCL winners. The Parisian’s saw off a spirited Manchester United team in the League Path final qualifying round. Roma’s route back to the UWCL for another season was less in doubt after putting 9 goals past Ukrainian champs Vorskla Poltava. While Ajax also came through the Champions Path with a similar 8-goal aggregate victory over Zurich. Ajax are the only side not to have featured in last season’s group stage (losing 3-2 to Arsenal in qualifying).
Group C offers plenty of credible Fantasy League options, with goals coming from all over the pitch. Bayern’s Lea Schüller is the group’s only £1,000,000 player. Schüller is classic centre-forward, and expected to provide important goals for the club. Other high-price forward options are Katoto and Baltimore for PSG. They will be relied upon greatly in the absence of Kadidiatou Diani, who signed for Lyon in the summer. At a price of £600,000, Roma offers a more affordable choice up front with Valentina Giacinti. For those on an even tighter budget, Romée Leuchter might be Ajax’s best striking option at £400,000. Overall, however, the competitive nature of Group B means that defense and midfield might represent more lucrative opportunities.
Players to watch:
In defence, at £600,000, PSG’s Élisa de Almeida is tipped to do well this year after a strong WWC campaign. Bayern are bolstered by Giulia Gwinn (£600,000), who returns to the starting XI after missing much of last season through injury. Also at £600,000 is Katherina Naschenweng. Bayern’s Austrian defender often plays in more forward positions, making her a potentially valuable points-getter. Elena Linari is another credible option at the back for Roma, posting some convincing defensive stats. In such a tight group, this might also be the place to go fishing for goalkeepers.
Maria Luisa Grohs commands a price of £500,000, making her one of the highest-priced goalkeepers in the UWCL. But she is a safe pair of hands for those looking for a long-term goalkeeping option. Paris Saint-Germain’s goalkeeping situation seems to be less clear as Constance Picaud (at £450,000) is competing with Polish keeper Katarzyna Kiedrzynek for a starting role. For example, both keepers played 90 minutes over the two qualifiers against Manchester United.
Other high-end players to consider from Group B are Bayern’s forward Klara Bühl at £800,00 and Lieke Martens from PSG. Both players were highly impressive in the Nations League national team matches in September and could be among the highest points scorers in this year’s inaugural UWCL Fantasy League competition. Meanwhile, Roma’s midfielders Emilie Haavi at £600,000 and Manuela Giugliano – at a more affordable £450,000 – are likely to offer decent returns. For Ajax, Sherida Spitse and Nikita Tromp, at £350,000 and £250,000 respectively, offer the best budget options, and could be useful substitutes.