Women's Champions League: Five Subplots Ahead of Matchday 3 Analyst

The UEFA Women's Champions League returns for Matchday 3 on Wednesday evening. What should you be keeping an eye on?

We discuss the subplots ahead of this week's action. The UEFA Women's Champions League returns this week and, with only six games in the league phase, Matchday 3 already represents the halfway point for Europe's elite.

Barcelona have made a flying start, winning both of their opening matches and scoring 11 goals in the process. They are the only side with maximum points, but behind them, the race for direct qualification to the quarter-finals is harder to call.

Chelsea and Arsenal have four points apiece, while Manchester City, Bayern München and OL Lyonnes are also unbeaten after two matches, albeit with City down in 10th after two draws. According to the Opta supercomputer, Barcelona are overwhelming favourites to secure a top-four finish, while Arsenal and Manchester City already appear slightly up against it.

Let's dive into five key talking points ahead of MD3. Can Russo Light Fire Under Arsenal's Campaign?

Alessia Russo is closing in on a place in the history books, with Arsenal's clash against Benfica offering the England striker an opportunity to draw level with Fran Kirby as the highest-scoring English player in the history of the Champions League. Russo has scored 20 goals in the UWCL, leaving her just one short of Kirby's record of 21.

Although unbeaten so far, the Gunners have made an unconvincing start to the league phase. A late penalty secured a 1-0 victory over HB Køge on Matchday 1, before they surrendered a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 with Paris FC.

Those performances have come amid an unusually subdued attacking start domestically. Arsenal have scored just seven goals in their opening seven WSL matches, with only five coming from open play.

It's a modest return for a side who usually rank among the competition's most prolific attacks, and Renée Slegers will be keen to build on the momentum of their North London Derby victory over Tottenham. There are reasons for optimism here.