Madrid’s Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium hosts one of the standout ties as the Women’s Champions League league phase begins, with Real Madrid welcoming a reshaped Paris Saint-Germain side. Five high-profile fixtures open the first matchday, but the meeting in the Spanish capital offers an early measure of both clubs’ continental ambitions.
Pau Quesada’s Real Madrid arrive seeking to build on two successive campaigns among Europe’s last eight. PSG, still unbeaten in the French league, bring a demanding first test to a ground that holds close to 6,000 spectators.
Quick facts
- Competition: UEFA Women’s Champions League, opening matchday
- Fixture: Real Madrid vs Paris Saint-Germain
- Venue: Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium, Madrid
- Kick-off: 21:00
- Referee: Ivana Projkovska of North Macedonia
- Video review official: Mario Zebec
- Live television coverage: Esport 3
Quesada has set his sights beyond Madrid’s recent quarter-final ceiling. Last season, the Spanish club’s European run ended after a defeat to Arsenal in London and then a last-eight exit against Barcelona.
“We want to improve on last year, when we had a very good Champions League,” Quesada said. “The club has reached the European top eight in each of the past two seasons. Our aim is to go one step further and reach the final four.”
Real Madrid start with Merle Frohms in goal, behind Eva Navarro, Maëlle Lakrar, Filippa Angeldahl? No, Andersson and Sara Däbritz? Actually, the selected back line is Eva Navarro, Lakrar, Andersson and Levels. Caruso, Senss and Andreia Jacinto form the midfield, while Keukelaar, Schroder and Caicedo lead the attack.
The Madrid substitutes are Cristina Águeda, Mendez, De la Cuerda, Däbritz, San Martín, Paula Rubio, Beerensteyn, Bruun, Noelia Llamas, Athenea and Rodriguez.
PSG name Kiedrzynek in goal. Belinha, Samoura, Dudek and Elimbi make up the defensive unit, with Ajibade, Echegini, Osteras, Karchaoui and Feller supporting Leuchter.
Szperkowska, Ebayilin, Fatier, Mbock, Charlier, Vitoria Yaya, Le Roux, Jourde, Kanjinga, Lafontaine and Morissaint are available from the Paris bench. The visitors arrive in Madrid without a domestic defeat, adding weight to an opening-night contest between two sides looking toward the latter stages of the European season.
