UWCL tactical analysis: Will Arsenal overcome Leuven’s steadfast goalkeeper?

The inaugural edition of the Women’s Champions League’s revamped format is progressing into its knockout stage. Following an intense final round of the league phase, the playoffs are now determined. The victor of each of the four two-legged matchups will secure a spot in the quarterfinals, where prominent teams such as Barcelona, OL Lyonnes, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich await.

Three of the four playoff matchups are rematches from the group stage, adding a sense of familiarity and excitement to the encounters. As the critical phase of the season approaches, clubs and their standout players will be eager to leave their mark in the premier club competition for women’s football.

What are the significant tactical confrontations, and where will each match be decided?

– UWCL playoff round preview: Can Arsenal sustain their winning streak?
– Keogh: Arsenal shocks Man City to keep WSL title hopes alive
– The 50 top women’s soccer players globally for 2025, ranked!

OH Leuven vs Arsenal

Can Arsenal overcome goalkeeper Lowiese Seynhaeve?

For Arsenal to retain their Women’s Champions League title, they must once again defeat the determined OH Leuven. The two teams faced off on the final matchday of the group phase, where the Gunners secured a 3-0 victory, finishing in fifth place. The Belgian debutants qualified for the league phase after a series of surprising results.

If Leuven were to credit one player for their success, it would likely be goalkeeper Lowiese Seynhaeve. She has been a formidable presence in goal and the standout goalkeeper of this season thus far. Her quick reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and coverage in the goal area enabled the Belgian team to qualify despite winning only one of their six matches.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper delivered a series of impressive performances during the league phase, showcasing her shot-stopping skills. She recorded the highest save percentage of any goalkeeper (82.5%) and made 10 or more saves in three of her six appearances.

She made a total of 14 saves against Barcelona, managing to limit the score to 3-0 in a match where Barça took 43 shots overall. These remarkable efforts allowed Leuven to advance despite a challenging draw.

OH Leuven goalkeeper Lowiese Seynhaeve vs. Barcelona (ESPN/TruMedia)

Renée Slegers’ Arsenal boasts significant attacking talent, yet they have been inefficient in recent weeks. They can navigate through and around defenses with relative ease and are likely to disrupt Leuven’s organization. However, breaking through Seynhaeve will be crucial.

The goals scored by the Gunners in their group stage encounter included a rebound and a deflection. Seynhaeve was able to handle nearly everything else thrown her way, making 10 saves, seven of which came from within the penalty area.

While the Gunners are considered heavy favorites, they must find a way to surpass Seynhaeve in goal if they wish to defend their European title.

Paris FC vs Real Madrid

Can Paris FC exploit Madrid on set-pieces?

Real Madrid is set to face a familiar rival in the UWCL playoffs. Historically, Madrid has struggled to break down Parisian teams, achieving only one victory in eight encounters and scoring just three goals.

Paris FC has been particularly challenging for them. Madrid has not won in their three meetings against Sandrine Soubeyrand’s team, and they had to rely on a late equalizer to secure a point in their last encounter.

However, circumstances are shifting as Madrid has made several changes. Pau Quesada’s team has pressured larger clubs effectively and capitalized on transition opportunities. The dynamic duo of Caroline Weir and Linda Caicedo is central to their possession play.

Real Madrid shots (left) and passing network (right) vs. Paris FC in November (ESPN/TruMedia)

Nevertheless, dealing with crosses and set-pieces has been a significant weakness for the Spanish side. In fact, all but one of their goals conceded in this edition have resulted from crosses or set-pieces. Their ineffective zonal marking, lack of aerial prowess, and lapses in concentration have hindered them in crucial matches thus far.

Arsenal took advantage of this vulnerability in their recent encounter, utilizing looping crosses into the box, which, combined with potent attacking threats, often created chaos in Madrid’s defense.

Wolfsburg vs Juventus

A clash between youth and experience

The matchup between Wolfsburg and Juventus is the only “new” pairing in the knockout stages of the tournament. The German powerhouses will need to navigate a challenging Juventus team that impressed during the league phase. Juventus and Wolfsburg finished eighth and ninth respectively in the league phase standings, with a mixed array of performances and both scoring 13 goals.

The distinction lies in their squad composition and reliance on veteran players.

Juventus currently has the oldest average squad age in the competition (28.4). Eight of their 13 goals have been scored or assisted by players over 30 years old. The only three players to net multiple goals for them during the group stage are all over 30. For Wolfsburg, this figure is three of their 13 total goals. The 34-year-old Alexandra Popp and 35-year-old Svenja Huth remain crucial players. However, Wolfsburg has evolved, integrating younger talent to replace some of their older components.

This dependence on seasoned players and the inconsistency of developing talent has rendered both teams somewhat unpredictable in their performances.

Juventus can score three against OL Lyonnes in the first half but may struggle to find the net against United. Conversely, Wolfsburg can score four against PSG and five against United but then fail to score against a 10-player Real Madrid.

Juventus squad’s age demographic (ESPN/Fbref)

While experience is crucial in knockout tournaments, an over-reliance on veteran players is not sustainable throughout a season. Conversely, the challenges of integrating new players while phasing out older stars are part of the process.

The last encounter between these two teams occurred during the league phase of the 2021-22 season, where Juventus remained unbeaten across both matches, scoring four times.

Juventus brings the familiar threat from that time, while Wolfsburg has a new developing core.

Atlético Madrid vs Manchester United

Can Manchester United contain midfielder Fiamma Benitez?

Manchester United has advanced to the knockout phase in their inaugural campaign. They finished sixth in the standings, tied on points with Arsenal and just one point behind fourth-placed Bayern Munich. United was the third-lowest scoring team to qualify for the playoffs, with only Paris FC (six) and OH Leuven (five) netting fewer goals.

Defensive strength has been the cornerstone of Marc Skinner’s squad. They conceded only one goal in their four victories in the UWCL and have the joint-most clean sheets in the competition (three). In fact, they also maintained a clean sheet against Atlético in the group phase, despite defending with 10 players for the entire second half.

Fiamma Benítez’s shots in this season’s Women’s Champions League (ESPN/TruMedia)

United’s primary challenge will be to neutralize Atlético Madrid’s Fiamma Benítez. The young Spaniard is central to Atleti’s chance creation and has the second most goal contributions of any player in the tournament, trailing only Klara Bühl (nine). She is directly involved in over 50% of Atleti’s goals in the competition (7/13). In fact, she has made a goal contribution in four of the six league phase matches.

With her ability to take long-range shots and execute set-pieces effectively, Benítez poses a threat to a retreating defense. Her shots are often well-placed and difficult for goalkeepers to reach, while her corners and set-pieces are delivered with finesse. She possesses defensive tenacity, contributes goals from midfield, and has the capability to influence the game from various phases, making her an essential asset.

Atlético will be without their standout forward, Luany, due to suspension, which will elevate the importance of 21-year-old Benítez in Atleti’s attacking strategy. For United, limiting the Spaniard’s impact will be crucial to securing victory in this matchup.