Futebol Feminino Internacional / Selecções 2019/2020

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Resultados



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0RwBcKVWh8

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Rachel Daly wins MVP to headline award winners at the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret

Daly also earned Golden Boot, Kailen Sheridan collected Golden Glove, Ashley Sanchez was named Future Legend of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, and Shea Groom was named Championship MVP


Rachel Daly earned the NWSL Challenge Cup Tournament MVP and Golden Boot awards

The National Women's Soccer League announced the award winners of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret. Rachel Daly from Houston Dash was named Tournament Most Valuable Player, sponsored by Budweiser, and was awarded the Golden Boot, Kailen Sheridan from Sky Blue FC was awarded the Golden Glove, sponsored by Verizon, Ashley Sanchez was named Future Legend and Shea Groom was named Championship Game MVP, presented by Budweiser. Voting for the Tournament MVP, Golden Glove, and Future Legend was done by the media and the Golden Boot was awarded to the player with the most goals throughout the tournament, and in case of a tie breaker, most tournament assists by the tying players.

Daly played 614 minutes over seven games during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup for Houston, tallying three goals and two assists. She scored the game-winning goal against Portland Thorns FC in the semifinal match, sending the Houston Dash to the club's first championship game. In the championship game, Daly clinched the Golden Boot after assisting Groom's goal late in the game. That assist put Daly ahead of Lynn Williams, who had three goals and only one assist. Through the semifinals, Daly was one of just three players in the tournament to score more than one goal in a single game, with her two goals in the team's tournament opening match against Utah Royals FC. Daly also converted her spot kick in the penalty shootout against Utah Royals FC in the quarterfinals.

MVP
Rachel Daly (HOU)
Julie Ertz (CHI)
Kailen Sheridan (NJ)
Debinha (NCC)

Sheridan played every minute in net – 540 minutes – over six games during the tournament for Sky Blue FC. No 'keeper has played more minutes for Sky Blue FC in NWSL history than Sheridan. Through the semifinals, Sheridan led all goalkeepers in the tournament with 21 saves and tied for the lead in the tournament with three shutouts in six games. She came out big in the quarterfinals when she saved the final penalty-kick attempt against the Washington Spirit to help Sky Blue FC earn a semifinal berth. Sheridan allowed only three goals in four preliminary-round games for a .75 GAA.

GOLDEN GLOVE
Kailen Sheridan (NJ)
Bella Bixby (POR)
Alyssa Naeher (CHI)

Sanchez, the fourth overall selection in the 2020 NWSL College Draft, was the youngest player to play in the tournament at 21 years old. Sanchez played 357 minutes over five games for the Washington Spirit, tallying the second highest team minutes played among attacking players. She took four shots in five games – all on target – and assisted in the Washington Spirit's equalizing goal against Portland Thorns FC in preliminary play.

FUTURE LEGEND
Ashley Sanchez (WAS)
Morgan Weaver (POR)
Tziarra King (UTA)

Groom scored the game-clinching goal in the final minutes of the Dash's 2-0 win in the NWSL Challenge Cup as Houston lifted their first league trophy.  The attacker's performance earned her Championship Game MVP, presented by Budweiser. Overall she played 585 minutes in seven appearances, starting all seven games. Overall, she notched three goals and one assist in the tournament, tying for most goals in the tournament with Daly and Williams.

https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/rachel-daly-wins-mvp-to-headline-award-winners-at-the-2020-nwsl-challenge-cup-presented-by-pg-and-secret

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2020 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret Best XI, presented by Google

Players from Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, North Carolina Courage, Portland Thorns FC, and Washington Spirit earn nods to the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Best XI, presented by Google



The National Women's Soccer League announced the tournament Best XI, presented by Google, during halftime of the championship game of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret. The Best XI was divided among five teams, with North Carolina Courage had a high of four players, followed by Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, and Portland Thorns FC with two players each. Washington Spirit had one selection. The Best XI selections were a result of voting conducted among players, coaches, media, and fans.

Voting breakdown: Fans (20%), Media (20%), Coaches (20%), and Players (40%).

2020 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret Best XI, presented by Google

Goalkeeper: Britt Eckerstrom (POR)
Defenders: Julie Ertz (CHI), Abby Erceg (NCC), Casey Short (CHI), Jaelene Daniels (NCC)
Midfielders/Forwards: Debinha (NCC), Lynn Williams (NCC), Lindsey Horan (POR), Rachel Daly (HOU), Shea Groom (HOU), Rose Lavelle (WAS)

A look at the stats of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Best XI:

GK: Britt Eckerstrom, Portland Thorns FC

Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom started and played her first game of the tournament against the top-seeded North Carolina Courage in the quarterfinals on July 17, tallying 11 saves in a shutout win. In total, she recorded 14 saves, conceding only one goal throughout the tournament and had a save percentage of 93.3%.

D: Julia Ertz, Chicago Red Stars

Chicago Red Starts defender Julie Ertz was one of two players to play every minute of her starting six appearances. Her passing rate was 75.6% – completing 170 passes out of 225 – with a tackling rate of 64.3%, duel rate of 66.7%, and averaging 45 passes per 90 minutes.

D:  Abby Erceg, North Carolina Courage

North Carolina Courage defender Abby Erceg played 450 minutes in five appearances and scored one goal, which was the game-winner in a 1-0 victory against Chicago Red Stars during preliminary play. Erceg's passing rate was 88%, completing 219 of the 249 passes made. Additionally, she had 17 clearances, 11 interceptions, a duel success rate of 80%, four blocks, and averaged 49.8 passes per 90 minutes.

D: Casey Short, Chicago Red Stars

Chicago Red Stars defender Casey Short played 270 minutes in four games, starting in all appearances. She scored a goal in the club's 1-0 win against Utah Royals FC during preliminary play,  and had a tackle rate of 87.5%, duel rate of 52.6% – successfully winning 20 out of 38 duels – and six interceptions.

D: Jaelene Daniels, North Carolina Courage

North Carolina Courage defender Jaelene Daniels played 441 minutes in five appearances, starting all five games. Daniels had one assist in their 1-0 victory against Chicago Red Stars in a preliminary game and had a pass rate of 72.7% – successfully completing 152 of her 209 passes. Daniels additionally marked a tackle rate of 75%, duel rate of 58.5%, and 42.7 passes per 90 minutes.

M/F: Debinha, North Carolina Courage

North Carolina Courage attacker Debinha played 419 minutes in five appearances, starting all five games. She scored one goal in the club's 2-1 win against Portland Thorns FC in their tournament opener. Debinha was one of three players to score and assist a goal in the tournament, notching an assist in their 2-1 preliminary-round win against Washington Spirit, and placed second on the team with most shots at 14. She had a pass rate of 71.9% – successfully completing 115 of the 160 passes – tackle rate of 66.7% and an average of 34.4 pass per 90 minutes.

M/F: Lynn Williams, North Carolina Courage

North Carolina Courage attacker Lynn Williams played 416 minutes in five appearances, starting all five games. She tied with Daly and Groom for most tournament goals with three and led with most shots, taking 23 total. Williams scored a goal in North Carolina's tournament opener against Portland Thorns FC in a 2-1 win and added a pair of goals in their 2-0 win against Washington Spirit – both games in preliminary round. Additionally, she assisted a goal in their final preliminary game where they won 2-0 against Sky Blue FC. Williams totaled a passing rate of 72.8% – completing 73 of 103 passes – tackle rate of 80% and 22.3 pass per 90 minutes.

M/F: Lindsey Horan, Portland Thorns FC

Portland Thorns FC midfielder Lindsey Horan played 299 minutes in four appearances, starting all four games. She scored a diving-header goal in Portland's 1-1 draw against the Washington Spirit on July 5 in preliminary play. Horan finished the tournament with a passing rate of 79.3% – completing 115 of 145 passes – tackle rate of 71.4% and averaged 43.6 passes per 90 minutes.

M/F: Rachel Daly, Houston Dash

Houston Dash attacker Rachel Daly played 614 minutes in seven appearances, starting all seven games. She tied first with Groom and Williams for most tournament goals at three, tied with two other players for most tournament assists at two and marked second with most shots, taking 14 total. Daly converted her penalty-kick attempt in the shootout against Utah Royals FC in the quarterfinals, along with the game-winning goal against Portland Thorns FC in the semifinal match, sending the Houston Dash to the club's first championship game. She had a passing rate of 65.8% – completing 98 of 149 passes –and a tackling rate of 77.8% and averaging 21.8 pass per 90 minutes.

M/F: Shea Groom, Houston Dash

Houston Dash attacker Shea Groom played 585 minutes in seven appearances, starting all seven games. She notched three goals and one assist in the tournament, tying for tournament most goals with Daly and Williams. Groom scored a goal in the club's tournament opener against Utah Royals FC in a 3-3 draw and added an assist in a 2-0 win against OL Reign. She scored the game-clinching goal in the championship game against the Chicago Red Stars. She had a passing rate of 63.6% – completing 103 of the 162 passes – tackle rate of 40% and 24.9 pass per 90 minutes.

M/F: Rose Lavelle, Washington Spirit

Washington Spirit midfielder Rose Lavelle played 208 minutes in four appearances, starting two games. Lavelle was one of four players to score a goal for the Spirit and placed fourth in team shots with four. Her one goal came in Washington's tournament opener against Chicago Red Stars in a 2-1 win. She notched a perfect long pass rate – completing all eight passes made – and had a passing rate of 78.4% and averaged 38.1 pass per 90 minutes.

https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/2020-nwsl-challenge-cup-presented-by-pg-and-secret-best-xi-presented-by-google

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yYD2TWErBs

[Léo_SLB20]

Joga tanto ... mas não devemos ter € para ela

[Gradinni]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yYD2TWErBs

A Jessica no Lyon tambem é um verbo de encher. 9 jogadoras no banco e nem assim la estava. Bem que nos fazia falta...

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UEFA Women's Champions League

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Women's Champions League last eight team guides – No 1: Arsenal

Much has changed since the Gunners first started preparing for their first WCL quarter-final in six years


Jill Roord and Malin Gut of Arsenal during a training session.

Overview

Arsenal usually play a 4-3-3 with Leah Williamson and Jen Beattie as centre-backs, both of whom can also play in midfield due to their comfort in possession. Joe Montemurro likes to push his full-backs very high. Lisa Evans and Katie McCabe playedthere last season and made their names as outright wingers.

In midfield, Lia Wälti anchors with Jordan Nobbs and Kim Little ahead of her as attacking No 8s. When they come under pressure, Little drops back and forms a double pivot with Wälti as she can keep the ball in tight spaces. Nobbs is an all-action box-to-box midfielder who offers goal threat.

In attack, Vivianne Miedema is the most recognisable player in the Arsenal team and one of the biggest goal threats in world football. However, her goals are only part of her game. She likes to move away from the front-line and drift into the No 10 position, allowing the likes of Nobbs, Little and Van de Donk to get into the area as support forwards.

Arsenal are a team who seek to dominate through possession; they are patient with the ball, with players rotating positions. "The important thing is that the players understand space and rotations, so that when we pass the ball there is always an option for the player receiving straight away and we have second phase and third phase of play mapped out," Montemurro says.

Which players have they signed this summer and can be used from the quarter-finals?

The Australian left-back Steph Catley has been added from Melbourne City. She has played under Montemurro before and is considered one of the best left-backs in the world. The goalkeeper Lydia Williams also arrives from Melbourne City, while the Swiss full-back Noëlle Maritz arrives after a trophy laden seven-year spell at Wolfsburg. She can play in either full-back position or on either wing. The 20-year old Swiss international Malin Gut was also signed to provide cover for international teammate Lia Wälti in the defensive midfield role.


Joe Montemurro takes a training session.

Head coach

Montemurro joined Arsenal in December 2017 after holding several coaching roles with the Melbourne City men's and women's teams. He is a proponent of total football based on short passing and rotation of positions in attack. "The less the opponent has the ball, the less they can hurt you," he says. He also likes to make specifications for each opponent and enjoys solving tactical problems in-game. His assistant, Aaron D'Antino, is an expert in video analysis.

Star player

They are far from a one-woman team but Vivianne Miedema is undoubtedly the star. She broke the Netherlands goal-scoring record at the age of 22 and has won the WSL Golden Boot in the last two seasons. She is also a talented creative player, providing more assists than any other player in the the league last season. She seems to glide across the pitch and enjoys working outside the penalty area as much as she enjoys working inside it.


Vivianne Miedema will be key for Arsenal once more.

Did you know?

Jen Beattie's father, John, was a Scottish rugby international in the 1980s [her brother Johnnie is a recently retired professional rugby player, too]. She scored a header against Argentina at the Parc des Princes in last summer's World Cup – John scored a try for Scotland against France at the same end of the same pitch in 1987.

Who could surprise everyone in Spain?

The Australia forward Caitlin Foord signed in February but was only able to play twice prior to lockdown. A seasoned performer, she is now looking to make her mark in Europe, "She's a little bit different to some of the players we've got, she's very powerful in the final third," Montemurro says.

What is the realistic aim for Arsenal in the WCL?

Arsenal need to win the tournament to qualify for next season's competition. They are by no means favourites given the presence of Lyon and Wolfsburg but they will absolutely aim to win the tournament in Spain. Saturday's quarter-final with PSG could go either way.

European pedigree

Arsenal remain the only British team to have won the tournament back in 2006-07. This is the first time they have been in the Champions League since 2014 and while they do not have the pedigree of Lyon or Wolfsburg, they have played in more Champions League quarter-finals than any team.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/17/womens-champions-league-last-eight-team-guides-no-1-arsenal

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Women's Champions League last eight team guides – No 2: Atlético Madrid

The team have strengthened but five recent Covid-19 cases have put a huge cloud over their preparations


Atlético Madrid's Venezuelan forward Deyna Castellanos. Atlético face Barcelona in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Overview

Atlético Madrid qualified for their first-ever WCL quarter-finals in October, but it is probably fair to describe that as the only bright spot in their most inconsistent season since 2016. The team may have finished second in Primera Iberdrola but they were nine points behind Barcelona and failed to reach the Copa de la Reina quarter-finals for the first time since 2012.

Having had three different coaches during the 2019-20 season, Atlético have been unstable and unreliable. First, the coach Sánchez Vera surprisingly left in October. Pablo López was appointed as his successor and although he managed to take them into the last eight of the women's Champions League for the first time, his contract was terminated in January following a spell in which Atléti drew four out of seven games.

So now they are preparing for the WCL quarter-final with a coach, Dani González, who has been in charge for only seven games. He has a lot of new players at his disposal, so their playing style and formation under him is still a bit of a mystery.

Sánchez Vera was happy for his team to sit back and soak up pressure while Pablo López's team focused more on possession, which is something Dani González favours too. "I'm discovering other ways of working with him," the goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin told L'Équipière last month. "We're really working on the Spanish game: the passing, the possession. There's also a lot of physical work."

The team have changed a lot in the past few months. In May, the Spain international Virginia Torrecilla discovered she had a brain tumour and began treatment. Nine players, including several previous starters, also left during the summer.

There are also concerns over whether they will even be able to play their quarter-final against Barcelona on Friday after five players tested positive for Covid-19 last week and they had to cancel all training sessions. Uefa has said Atlético will need a minimum of 13 players, including one goalkeeper, to play.

Which players have they signed this summer and can use from the quarter-finals?

This Atlético looks very different from the one that finished nine points away from Barcelona in March. Some high-profile players have left, including the goalkeepers Lola Gallardo and Sari van Veenendaal as well as Kenti Robles and Elena Linari, but the club have acted to sign good replacements.

Hedvig Lindahl and Pauline Peyraud-Magnin are an extremely strong goalkeeping duo while Meryl van Dongen and Alia Guagni will both add depth to the defence. Turid Knaak, Emelyne Laurent and Grace Kazadi have all arrived to bring new energy to Atléti's attack.


(Left to right): New arrivals Alia Guagni, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and Turid Knaak.

Head coach

Dani González did not have much time to shape the team to his own possession-based playing style before the coronavirus outbreak. González, who played for the men's team in 1995-96, has been part of the club's staff since 2010. In June, the club renewed his contract until 2021. "The goals for this season are to continue to grow as an organisation and to solidify a way of working that allows us to reach an optimum level in all the competitions," he said when he extended his contract.


Dani González, the head coach of Atlético Madrid's women's team, has only been in charge for seven matches and now faces a Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona.

Star player

During the last three years, Ángela Sosa has scored 27 goals and in the 2018-19 season she won the league's MVP title. Surprisingly, her performances were not enough to be included in Spain's Women's World Cup squad. She has great vision and an eye for goal, but there are rumours of her leaving the club, and her participation in the last eight is not yet guaranteed.


Ángela Sosa is a key player for Atlético but there have been rumours she will be leaving the club.

Did you know?

During the coronavirus crisis Atlético's Silvia Meseguer, who is about to finish her medicine degree, volunteered to help at Madrid's temporary hospital, IFEMA. Meseguer has been trying to balance her education and football career for years and last season she retired from the Spanish national team to be able to focus more on her medical career.

Which player could surprise everyone in Spain?

Leicy Santos joined on a loan from Santa Fe at the beginning of the season. Although the Colombian has only played 170 minutes in the WCL, she has proven to be the team's best signing this year and a key part of Atléti's midfield. This summer, the club signed her permanently on a contract until 2024.


Leicy Santos has proved an excellent signing in midfield this year for Atlético Madrid.

What is the realistic aim for Atlético in the WCL?

Barcelona are the favourites in the quarter-final, even more so after Atlético had to suspend training due to the Covid-19 cases, but their new signings also make this team unpredictable. But even if they could get past Barça then Wolfsburg – who should defeat Glasgow City comfortably – are likely to be too strong. The German side have already beaten Atlético twice in this competition, making it hard for the Colchoneras to dream beyond the semi-finals.

European pedigree

This is Atlético's fourth participation in the Women's Champions League and the very first time they have qualified for the quarter-finals. They have been knocked out in the Round of 32 once by Wolfsburg (in 2017-18), and in the Round of 16 twice, by Lyon in 2015-16, and Wolfsburg in 2018-19.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/17/womens-champions-league-last-eight-team-guides-no-2-atletico-madrid

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Women's Champions League last-eight team guides – No 3: Barcelona

The Catalans had a superb season under Lluís Cortés and have kept the squad together, including star forward Jenni Hermoso


Alexia Putellas is a mainstay in midfield for both Spain and Barcelona, who face an all-Spanish quarter-final with Atlético Madrid on Friday.

Overview

When the Spanish league was interrupted by the coronavirus crisis in mid-March, Barcelona were having their best ever season. The team had won 19 out of 21 matches, as well as the Supercopa and had qualified for the Copa de la Reina semi-finals and WCL quarter-finals. Once the season was officially cancelled, Barcelona were awarded the league title, their first since 2015.

So what made Barcelona finally click this year? Well, the coach Lluís Cortés has managed to unify the team, creating a cohesion that had been missing in previous years. This version of Barcelona still likes to control the game and to keep possession, but its dominance comes from the group's togetherness and hard work. Under Cortés, the team has kept their signature 4-3-3 formation but has added an extra layer of freedom to allow players to express themselves.

This summer, the club has focused on maintaining the current group of players that had achieved such great results during the season. "The team is in very good shape, physically, technically and tactically. It's an advantage that we've kept the core of the team and we are very prepared to work hard and give it our all during the pre-season so that in a month we'll be in the best possible condition," Cortés said before pre-season started last month.

Barcelona's main concern right now is whether Marta Torrejón, the team's first choice at right-back, and Ana Maria Crnogorcevic, her natural substitute, will have recovered from the injuries they sustained during pre-season come Friday's all-Spanish showdown with Atlético Madrid. If not, Barcelona B player Jana Fernández, 18, will be asked to step in to what would be her European debut.

Which players have they signed this summer and can use from the quarter-finals?

There has not been a huge upheaval at Barcelona this summer, which perhaps is not that surprising considering their successful 2019-20 season. The club has focused on maintaining the squad by extending contracts as well as giving promising Barcelona B players Jana Fernández and Bruna Vilamala their first professional deals.

The main new face this summer is Giovana Queiroz, a 17-year-old Brazilian attacker from Madrid CFF with impressive speed and technical abilities. Barcelona also have the goalkeeper Cata Coll available after a loan spell with Sevilla last year.


New faces: Giovana Queiroz (left) is an exciting teenage Brazilian forward, while goalkeeper Cata Coll has returned from a loan spell at Sevilla.

Head coach

Lluís Cortés had a wealth of experience in women's football before joining Barcelona. He became the team's head coach in 2019, following the departure of Fran Sánchez, and has since won 46 out of the 53 games the team has played. Cortés's main focus is to get the best out of every player so they can fit into the overall tactical plan, a code he has finally cracked this season and hopes to maintain throughout next season. "From the first day, the goal has been to maintain the core that has worked so hard for us. It's an incredible group of people," Cortés said during the pre-season.

Star player

Jenni Hermoso is the league's top scorer with 23 goals and the standout player. Usually a false nine or attacking midfielder, Hermoso plays her best when given the freedom to rove around and create chances in between oppposition lines. She won her first title with Rayo Vallecano, and played at Tyresö FC in Sweden for a year before signing with Barcelona in 2013. She left Catalonia in 2017, but returned in 2019, after two one-year spells at PSG and Atlético Madrid.


Jenni Hermoso scored 23 league goals last season and spent a season playing for Friday's opponents, Atlético Madrid.

Did you know?

Spanish defender Mapi León is well known for her many tattoos but she's also a talented artist. She has designed many of her own tattoos and is often asked to design for others too. Mapi loves drawing and has plans to turn her passion for tattoos into a career as a tattoo artist when she retires.


Maria Leon of Barcelona.

Which player could surprise everyone in Spain?

A few months ago, Jana Fernández making her debut in the Champions League this summer seemed unlikely, but recent injuries to Marta Torrejón and Ana Maria Crnogorcevic's could force Cortés to look at the B team to find a replacement at right-back. Fernández is a World Cup winner with Spain's Under-17 team has come through the Barcelona youth system. If Torrejón and Crnogorcevic are not available against Atlético on Friday, all eyes will be on her.


Jana Fernández is only 18 but could make her European debut at right-back if neither Marta Torrejón or Ana Maria Crnogorcevic are passed fit.

What is the realistic aim for Barcelona in the WCL?

The team may be better prepared than ever, but Barcelona's lack of changes in personnel this summer can be a weakness as well as a strength. On Friday, they'll face a revamped Atlético team that know Barcelona well, but who have been forced to cancel training because of five positive Covid-19 tests. If they win, the matchup against an experienced Wolfsburg side will be a real test for the Blaugranas, but one that they are better prepared for this year. With some luck, Barcelona should aim to repeat last year's feat and make it to the final.

European pedigree

Barcelona have been taking part in the WCL since its debut in 2012-13, qualifying for the quarter-finals for the fifth consecutive year. Their best result came last year when they made it to the final after beating Bayern Munich in the semis. They lost the final 4-1 to Lyon.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/18/womens-champions-league-last-eight-team-guides-no-3-barcelona

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Women's Champions League last-eight team guides – No 4: Bayern Munich

Bayern have, as always, made several signings this summer but face reigning champions Lyon in the quarter-finals


Bayern Munich's Carina Wenninger, Kristin Demann and Sydney Lohmann celebrate against BIIK Kazygurt during the Women's Champions League round of 16.

Overview

It is four years since Bayern won the Frauen-Bundesliga and in that time they have tried to catch up with VfL Wolfsburg, who are quite rightly deemed to be the second-strongest team in Europe, behind Lyon.

In those four years they have tried to find the right recipe that will enable them to challenge for the league, searching for the right players who will add more quality. Or at least replace the quality players who have left and there have been quite a few. Sara Däbritz (PSG), Fridolina Rolfö (Wolfsburg), Jill Roord (Arsenal) and most recently the captain, Melanie Leupolz, (Chelsea) are among those who have departed.

Players of that calibre are not easy to replace and there has also been a change of manager with Thomas Wörle leaving at the end of the 2018-19 season after nine years in charge. He was replaced by Jens Scheuer, who initially struggled to put his imprint on the team. For the first six months it was hard to see what the gameplan was. He experimented a lot but rarely was the attractive football he desires on display.

However, since the restart things have changed notably. Bayern have been playing much more fluid football. Scheuer switched to four at the back for the most part and has made only small changes to the line-up. It will now be interesting to see how Scheuer integrates the new signings.

There are no new injuries to report. The goalkeeper Laura Benkarth was substituted being concussed last week, but should have recovered in time to feature against Lyon on Saturday. The German international Lea Schüller, who arrived from Essen this summer, should play her first game for the club and could prove vital up front.


Lea Schüller scores for Essen in the women's DFB Cup final against VfL Wolfsburg in July.

Which players have the club signed this summer and can use from the quarter-finals?

There are normally a lot of arrivals at Bayern each summer and 2020 has been no different. The club have brought in Schüller, Sarah Zadrazil (Turbine Potsdam), Viviane Asseyi (Bordeaux), Marina Hegering (Essen), Hanna Glas (Paris St-Germain) and Klara Bühl (Freiburg). The new arrivals are an intriguing mix of youth and experience. They may not be household names but they are all internationals.

Hegering and Glas have come in to tighten up Bayern's defence and the latter has started brightly in friendlies but Hegering has a niggling injury and may not be fit for the game against Lyon. The 18-year old Bühl, who scored Germany's winner against England at Wembley last year, is the only player we are certain not to see in Spain for the resumption of the WCL as she is out with a shoulder injury.

Head coach

Scheuer did not play at a high level and started coaching in the lower leagues, often at clubs he had played for, beforeleading the FC Freiburg Women's team in 2015. He took the team to new heights and they finished third in the league in 2017-18 and reached the cup final the following year. Scheuer wants his team to play attractive football and would prefer a 4-3 win to a 1-0 win.

Star player

This team is more about the collective but Simone Laudehr is certainly the most decorated player in the squad. She has won pretty much everything (apart from, strangely, the Frauen-Bundesliga). She has won the World Cup, the Euros and the Olympics with the German national team and the Champions League and the German Cup at club level. She started her senior career at Bayern Munich in 2003 but left after one season. After long spells with FCR Duisburg and FFC Frankfurt she returned in 2016. Not an automatic starter anymore but the club wants her around for at least another season to help the younger players.

Did you know?

After 251 games and 13 years at the club, Carina Wenninger is currently Bayern's second-longest serving player after Thomas Müller. She was born in Thal, the same village as Arnold Schwarzenegger, and moved to Munich at the age of 16. While becoming a footballer she has also continued to study and has a Bachelor in Fitness and Health management. She is now targeting a Masters in the subject.


Carina Wenninger battles for the ball with Tabea Wassmuth of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim during a Frauen-Bundesliga match in May.

Which player could surprise everyone in Spain?

The midfielder Sydney Lohmann is a rough diamond the club rates very highly and wants to protect. She suddenly developed into a starter after a long-term injury at the beginning of the 2018-19 season. She has the capacity to become the next Melanie Leupolz, or indeed, Sara Däbritz.

What is the realistic aim for Bayern in the WCL?

The quarter-final opponents, Lyon, are the toughest team to play and they come very early for Bayern. Having said that, with ties being played as one-off games an upset is possible.

European pedigree

Bayern Munich Women have been constant guests at the Champions League table since the 2015-16 season. Following two knockouts at the early stages against Twente, in 2015-16, and Chelsea, in 2017-18, the team advanced to the semi-finals last year, but were beaten by Barcelona.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/18/womens-champions-league-last-eight-team-guides-no-4-bayern-munich

[GoldenState]

O canal 11 vai transmitir em directo os jogos da Liga dos Campeões Feminina.

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Women's Champions League last eight team guides – No 5: Glasgow City

The only part-time team left in the competition are sure to be up against it when they face the might of Wolfsburg


Glasgow City players celebrate after a penalty shootout victory over Brøndby in the Women's Champions League round of 16.

Overview

Glasgow City have been Scotland's dominant force for over a decade having now won 13 consecutive league titles. However, their hegemony will be challenged with Rangers and Celtic pouring more resources into their women's teams – both clubs decided to go fully professional this year. Glasgow City have lost their left-back Nicola Docherty with midfielder Sam Kerr (not that one!) and forward Kirsty Howat set to join Rangers in 2021.

Glasgow City have produced stellar talent such as Arsenal's Lisa Evans, Chelsea's Erin Cuthbert and the Manchester United striker Jane Ross. They will be enormous underdogs in Spain and limiting Wolfsburg to a narrow victory in the quarter-final would be a fine effort. Glasgow are the only part-time team left in the competition.

Their task is made more difficult by the fact that the Scottish Premier League runs from February until November, meaning the it was only one game old when the league was stopped because of the coronavirus pandemic. Glasgow are able to cover costs of participation in Spain only thanks to a private donation from local philanthropist James Anderson.

Glasgow City usually play a 4-3-3 formation with Hayley Lauder as an inverted wide forward from the right and Howat from the left either side of Republic of Ireland international Clare Shine. They have plenty of experience in 39-year old defender Leanne Ross and 33-year old midfielder Leanne Crichton in the spine of the team.

Which players have the club signed this summer and can use from the quarter-finals?

Glasgow have added US-born striker Krystyna Freda on loan from the Cypriot champions Apollon to bolster their team in Spain – Freda has scored an eye-watering 245 goals in three seasons in Cyprus. With Docherty departed, they have enlisted 30-year old American full-back Zaneta Wyne, who spent a season with Sunderland in the WSL, from Norwegian side Klepp IL. However, their most notable capture has been South African captain and defender Janine van Wyk from Fortuna Hjørring.

Head coach

Scott Booth is best remembered for his seven years as a striker at Aberdeen before a two-year stint at Borussia Dortmund – he was a member of Scotland's Euro 96 and 1998 World Cup squads. Booth began his coaching career with Scotland's under-15 and under-16 teams before spending a year as manager of Stenhousemuir from 2014-15. He joined Glasgow City in the summer of 2015. The emergence of Celtic and Rangers as professional clubs will provide his first stern managerial test domestically.


Glasgow City's Lauren Wade, Jenna Clark, Leanne Ross and Hayley Sinclair.

Star player

Ross, who turned 39 in July, is the only member of the Glasgow City squad to have played in each of their 13 consecutive title-winning seasons. With 133 caps for Scotland, Ross has a wealth of experience and has played in just about every outfield position, scoring over 250 goals for her club in the process – despite rarely playing as a striker. She often plays at centre-half nowadays and her delivery from dead balls is consistently excellent.

Did you know?

Goalkeeper Lee Alexander endured one of the most heartbreaking moments of last summer's World Cup when she saved a stoppage-time penalty against Argentina in the group stages to preserve a 3-2 lead for Scotland. The save would have guaranteed Scotland's progression into the knockout rounds; however, a retake was ordered by VAR due to a harsh interpretation of the encroachment rule. Argentina scored and Scotland went out.

Which player could surprise everyone in Spain?

With 170 caps for South Africa, 33-year old Van Wyk is not an unknown quantity, but this will be her Champions League debut having spent the majority of her career in her native South Africa. Holding together a defence under attack from Pernille Harder and co will be one of the toughest challenges of her career.


South Africa's Janine van Wyk blocks a shot from Germany's Lina Magull during their Women's World Cup match in June last year.

What is the realistic aim for Glasgow City in the WCL?

They stand very little chance of progressing past the quarter-final, with only the size of the defeat against Wolfsburg in question. Privately, Glasgow would probably consider limiting the Germans to a two-goal margin of victory an achievement.

European pedigree

This is Glasgow City's second quarter-final appearance, their best ever performance in the competition. In 2015, they were beaten 7-0 on aggregate by Paris Saint-Germain.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/19/womens-champions-league-last-eight-team-guides-no-5-glasgow-city

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Women's Champions League last-eight team guides – No 6: Lyon

The six-times champions are favourites to win the tournament again despite the absence of the injured Ada Hegerberg


Lyon players celebrate after defeating Barcelona in last year's Champions League final.

Overview

It is not a coincidence that Lyon are the team to beat. They have won the last four Champions Leagues and are the most complete and best balanced team in Europe.

The head coach, Jean-Luc Vasseur, prefers to play in a 4-2-3-1 with the experienced Sarah Bouhaddi in goal. Wendie Renard is a rock in central defence even though she is currently without her normal sidekick, Griedge Mbock, who is out with an achilles injury. Kadeisha Buchanan, the Canada international, is a very able deputy.

For the full-back positions Lyon have Lucy Bronze, the best right-back in the world, and can pick from Selma Bacha, Alex Greenwood or Sakina Karchaoui, who has arrived from Montpellier, on the left.

Saki Kumagai and Amandine Henry are tasked with shielding the defence in their midfield roles with Amel Majri and Eugénie Le Sommer occupying the wide positions. Dzsenifer Marozsan, as always, is the creative force in the middle. In Ada Hegerberg's absence, Nikita Parris has become Lyon's main goalscorer.

Technically and tactically astute, the Lyonnaises are also mentally strong. "My players are extraordinary in their ability to control emotions. They have victory in their DNA," Vasseur said recently after winning the Coupe de France. The players have an ability to question themselves each season and find the motivation to win more trophies. "When you get on the pitch, you want to be the best, to score as many goals as possible," says Le Sommer. "We have the talent and the intelligence of the players, and in my opinion the best are in Lyon, but we have always strived to be successful as a collective, that is what make us so strong."

Which players have the club signed this summer and can use from the quarter-finals?

Jean-Michel Aulas, the Lyon president, convinced Bouhaddi and Marozsan to extend their contracts for four and three years respectively and the club also managed to keep Bronze and Greenwood until the end of the Champions League. Then, as usual, they recruited smartly with Sara Gunnarsdottir, Jodie Taylor, Karchaoui and Ellie Carpenter all joining the already strong squad.

The goalkeeper Lola Gallardo was another new arrival but tested positive for Covid-19 and is unlikely to feature in Spain.


Lyon's Lucy Bronze drives at the Juventus backline on 15 August.

Head coach

Vasseur, 51, will long remember his first season at the helm of Lyon, which is also his first experience with a women's team. Before coaching OL, he worked for 10 years with the PSG men's reserves, then in Ligue 2 and Ligue 1 with Reims. "They provide me with a Formula One," he said of the club when he started. "I will humbly be the pilot of this high precision machine on which I will only have to do a few touch-ups." His philosophy: "Play well, go forward and score goals."

Star player

At 30, Renard has become a key figure at Lyon. The Coupe de France victory against PSG was her 30th title with OL. Apart from being one of the best defenders in the world, she also scores a lot of goals. Since her debut for OL in 2006, she has scored 115.

Did you know ?

The captain of the France team, Henry, has had some exceptional experiences in recent years. In July 2019, for example, she was able to fly with the Patrouille de France on National Day and last December, she fulfilled a dream by being president of the Miss France jury. "It's the world of fashion; of beauty and that's what I love," she said.


Lyon's Nikita Parris and Jessica Silva.

Who could surprise everyone in Spain?

Parris has stepped up to lead the Lyon attack. The England forward is fulfilling her role wonderfully and has showed that she is in good form recently (six goals in five friendlies and the only goal in the Coupe de France semi-final against Guingamp). Her performance in Spain will be decisive in Lyon's attempts to win a seventh Champions League.

What is the realistic aim for Lyon in the WCL?

Vasseur's team are the favourites to win again.

European pedigree

With six titles won, OL are the most decorated team in the competition's history. The Lyonnaises have won the tournament in 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and reached the final in 2010 and 2013.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/19/womens-champions-league-last-eight-team-guides-no-6-lyon