Best XI from the UWCL…

The inaugural 18-team league phase of the new UEFA Women’s Champions League has concluded.

Barcelona, OL Lyonnes, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich topped the standings, with the first three teams remaining unbeaten. Last year’s champions, Arsenal, finished in fifth place, while newcomers Manchester United and OH Leuven delivered standout performances to advance to the knockout playoffs.

The league phase saw thrilling goals, stunning comebacks, and dramatic moments, culminating in 54 matches. Here’s a look at the standout players compiled into an ideal XI.

Goalkeeper: Lowiese Seynhaeve (OH Leuven)

Seynhaeve was instrumental in helping debutants Leuven reach the top 12. With remarkable reflexes and reach, the Belgian goalkeeper thwarted critical attacks from teams like Barcelona, PSG, and Roma, boasting an impressive save percentage of 83.9%. Despite only one clean sheet, the 25-year-old prevented nearly seven goals across six matches, allowing just eight goals (excluding own goals) against a post-shot expected goal (PSxG) value of 14.9. She made over 10 saves in three of those matches and averaged more than one goal prevented per game.

Left Back: Selma Bacha (OL Lyonnes)

At just 25, Bacha has emerged as a key figure in the competition. She excelled in all phases of the game, contributing two assists and demonstrating relentless effort on defense. Her impressive passing ability made her invaluable to Giraldez’s system, as she led in touches (516) and total passes (472). Additionally, her 68 crosses were the most in the league, along with a league-leading 10 crosses into the box.

Center Back: Mapi León (Barcelona)

Barcelona’s defense conceded the fewest goals in the UWCL (3), thanks in large part to Mapi León’s contributions. The 30-year-old is a crucial presence in the back line, frequently advancing the ball from defense. Her set-piece delivery and playmaking skills were evident, as she registered the most shot-creating actions from dead-ball scenarios (11), and also had the highest number of progressive passes (61) and carries into the final third (17).

Center Back: Wendie Renard (OL Lyonnes)

Renard, a stalwart of UWCL history, demonstrated her value once more, playing a pivotal role both defensively and offensively. The 35-year-old center back netted three decisive goals and enhanced defensive resilience. Her upward trajectory in clutch scenarios, highlighted by a 90th-minute equalizer against Juventus, kept OL Lyonnes unbeaten in the tournament. With the best aerial win rate, Renard won 14 of her 15 contested duels in the air.

Right Back: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea)

Bronze remains a dependable force in women’s football, seamlessly adapting to positional changes. Often utilized as a right-sided center back in a back three, the 34-year-old ended the league phase with goals in consecutive games against Roma and Wolfsburg. She contributed significantly on defense with notable blocks and a critical equalizer in the final matchday, ensuring Chelsea’s place in the top four. With 34 recoveries, she led her team in regaining possession.

Center Midfield: Melchie Dumornay (OL Lyonnes)

Steadily rising in prominence, Dumornay has become a pivotal player in women’s football. She maintained her excellent form from the last European season, tallying four goals—twice against both Arsenal and Manchester United—ranking her joint-third in the league phase. Her proficiency in breaking defensive lines and creating scoring chances, along with her prowess in one-on-one situations, set her apart. With 43 shot-creating actions, she was just behind Bayern’s Klara Bühl (47) in the competition.

Center Midfield: Fiamma Benitez (Atlético Madrid)

Atlético Madrid barely secured their return to the knockout phase after a three-year absence from the UWCL, with Fiamma being a driving force. The 21-year-old was involved in seven goals, placing her second only to Bayern’s Bühl (9). Her ability to score from distance and timely runs into the box resulted in her directly contributing to 54% of her team’s goals (four goals and three assists), while also having the most shots and the second-highest chances created.

Center Midfield: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

The two-time Ballon d’Or winner initiated her campaign with a memorable performance, scoring and assisting twice in a commanding 7-1 victory over Bayern Munich. By the end of the league phase, she had racked up four goals and three assists, leading Barcelona in both metrics. Putellas consistently outsmarted defenses, showcasing remarkable vision and control, making her nearly impossible to dispossess in the attacking third. She also topped the charts for through-balls (6) and touches in the attacking third (258).

Forward: Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich)

Bühl has elevated her performance level this season with remarkable acceleration, technique, and tenacity in one-on-one matchups. She contributed in every UWCL match, totaling eight assists—the highest in a single campaign since the 2021-22 season—and played a role in nine of Bayern’s 14 goals overall. During the thrilling matches against Arsenal and Atlético Madrid, she provided assists for all five goals scored in these games. No player received more progressive passes during the league phase, demonstrating her importance in the attacking strategies under Jose Barcala.

Forward: Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich)

Harder has returned to her prolific scoring form under Barcala, matching legendary striker Marta on the all-time UWCL scoring list (46) while finishing the league phase as one of the joint top scorers (5). Her goals in critical matches against Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, and Juventus showcased her talent. The Danish forward effectively roams in the final third, making intelligent late runs into the box, while also executing key plays in Bayern’s high-pressing strategy.

Forward: Beth Mead (Arsenal)

The reigning champions narrowly fell short of a top-four finish and must now navigate through playoffs to progress to the quarterfinals. While Arsenal showed inconsistency, Mead’s performances from the right wing were outstanding. She recorded a goal or assist in all but one game, ultimately accumulating three goals and three assists. Notably, her crucial assist against Real Madrid sparked a comeback, while her lone goal against FC Twente on matchday five contributed significantly. The 30-year-old led her team in chances created (10) and tackles (15), while manager Renee Slegers encouraged her to drift centrally and impact the game further.