💫 ❓ Four questions with UWCL semi-final places up for grabs | OneFootball

The Women’s Champions League quarter-final stage continues this week, with the semi-finalists set to be decided.

And here are four things we are asking ourselves heading into the games.

Can Real Madrid do the unthinkable?

The biggest match on paper sees Barcelona host Real Madrid at a packed Camp Nou.

The reigning UWCL champions shockingly went behind in the first leg thanks to Olga Carmona, only to see Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas inspire a 3-1 comeback.

Inside what is expected to be a world record crowd, Barcelona should really put this tie to bed. Their dominance at home is flawless, winning all of their last 12 home European matches, scoring 42 goals and conceding just four.

Their rivals, however, have demonstrated they’re up to the challenge and are known to turn up away from home having won three out of four UWCL away games this season, keeping a clean sheet in each of those victories.

If Real Madrid were to successfully knock out the heavyweights on the road it truly would a huge shock and a true coming-of-age story for a club that is making its first appearance in the competition.

How much damage can PSG do against a depleted Bayern?

Fans could be in for a demolition show as a depleted Bayern Munich travel to Paris. Seven regulars are ruled out due to COVID-19 (including Linda Dallmann and Sarah Zadrazil), Viviane Asseyi is suspended and Klara Bühl is doubtful due to injury.

Needing to overturn the tie, the mountain is as tall as ever for a side who don’t have a win in any of their three UWCL matches in France.

To make matters worse, the German club will be up against one of the tournament’s lethal squads and in front of a big crowd at the Parc des Princes.

PSG are the only side this season to never be behind in a match and average five goals per home game. Their conversion rate even betters Barcelona’s.

If they’re in the right mood, leading scorers Jordyn Huitema (six) and Marie-Antoinette Katoto (five) supported by a stacked midfield and lively full-backs could cause some serious damage en route to the semis.

Who will rise to the occasion between Wolfsburg and Arsenal?

Everything is up for grabs in Germany as Wolfsburg and Arsenal enter the second leg on equal terms, leaving the tie delicately poised.

Wolfsburg are unbeaten in their last five matches against English clubs at home, notably knocking out Chelsea in the group stage. However, they have won just one of their last seven quarter-final matches.

The competition’s leading goalscorer Tabea Waßmuth (nine) and veteran forward Alexandra Popp will thus hope to inspire their turnaround, while former Gunner Jill Roord will also be eager to make a statement.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have one of the best attackers in Vivianne Miedema. She has struck up a fine partnership with January signing Stina Blackstenius, who has hit the ground running under Jonas Eidevall. The Gunners have failed to score in just one of their last 16 European matches.

The visitors’ record against German clubs isn’t the best, winning just three out of 13 matches, but it’s all up for grabs at the Volkswagen Arena.

Will Juve cement Lyon’s decline?

Seven-time winners Lyon are on the brink of elimination in the quarter-finals for a second consecutive season following Juventus’ statement win in France Has a changing of the guard in Europe been signalled?

A fine performance at home has left Juventus in pole position to become just the second Italian club to ever reach the semis. Joe Montemurro’s team have lost only one of their 11 UWCL matches this season and are unbeaten in all four away trips.

Nonetheless, Lyon hold the best record in this competition. You don’t win five successive titles by accident. They will throw everything they can at the visitors to avoid disappointment in front of their home fans and they have never lost back-to-back UWCL matches.

Leading scorer Catarina Macario could be a threat as she was in the first leg. Veterans Amandine Henry, Kadeisha Buchanan, Sarah Bouhaddi and Ada Hegerberg also know this competition all too well. Can Cristiana Girelli, Agnese Bonfantini and company tame them?