Bayern München vs Barcelona Women's Champions League preview: Where to watch, full lowdown

Bayern München and Barcelona meet in their UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final first leg on Saturday 25 April at Fußball Arena München.

What do you need to know?

Bayern have turned their campaign around after losing 7-1 away to Barcelona on Matchday 1; the German champions won a league game at Wolfsburg four days later and have not lost since, in a run of 25 victories and one draw. They now have a chance to progress to their first Women's Champions League final, having lost in the semi-finals to Chelsea in 2020/21 and Barcelona in 2018/19, when their upcoming opponents won both legs 1-0.

Barcelona have kept up momentum since their opening victory against Bayern, scoring 32 goals in eight games this campaign after blowing away Real Madrid 12-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. The three-time champions are in a record-extending eighth consecutive semi-final, and their ninth in ten seasons. The Spanish side aim to set a new mark by reaching a sixth final in a row, as they seek to claim back the trophy they lost to Arsenal in the 2025 decider.

Bayern beat Barcelona at Fußball Arena München in the 2022/23 group stageGetty Images

One thing Barcelona have never done, however, is win at Fußball Arena München. The only other time these teams have met at this stadium, Bayern won 3-1 in the 2022/23 group stage. With the second leg likely to be in front of a big crowd at Camp Nou, Bayern will hope to capitalise on home advantage in the first fixture.

Predicted line-ups

Bayern: Mahmutovic; Gwinn, Viggósdóttir, Gilles, Kett; Kakounan, Stanway; Dallmann, Tanikawa, Bühl; Harder
Out: Alara (knee), Damnjanović (leg)
Doubtful: None

Barcelona: Cata Coll; Ona Battle, Irene Paredes, Mapi León, Brugts; Vicky López, Patri Guijarro, Alexia Putellas; Graham Hansen, Pajor, Clàudia Pina
Out: Laia Aleixandri (knee), Aitana Bonmatí (fibula)
Doubtful: None

Form guide

Bayern
Last six games: WWWWWW
Last match: Union Berlin 2-3 Bayern, 22/04, Frauen-Bundesliga
Next match: Bayern München vs Barcelona, 25/04, Women's Champions League semi-finals
Where they stand: Frauen-Bundesliga champions, German Cup final

Barcelona
Last six games: WWWWWW
Last match: Espanyol 1-4 Barcelona, 22/04, Liga F
Next match: Bayern München vs Barcelona, 25/04, Women's Champions League semi-finals
Where they stand: Liga F champions, Copa de la Reina final

View from the camps

Jose Barcala, Bayern München coach: "We have to be ready and take advantage of the few opportunities we have. The crucial thing will be that we perform as a united team."

Pere Romeu, Barcelona coach: "We are prepared for every situation and how we will try to approach it in the best possible way. Bayern are a great team and tomorrow will be a very demanding match."

Klara Bühl, Bayern München midfielder: "We learned a lot from the match in October. We analysed it in detail and want to put those lessons into practice on the pitch: being aggressive in challenges, being present from the start, and taking every opportunity. We have a lot of quality in the squad, but to show that quality on the pitch, we need 100% effort and passion."

Ewa Pajor, Barcelona forward: "Bayern have a lot of quality. We want to play our game and dominate from the first minute. We've analysed them well and we're prepared for what they can do. We're focused on our game."

Barcelona have scored 32 goals in eight games this campaignNurPhoto via Getty Images

Reporter's view

Judith Tuffentsammer, match reporter

Freshly-crowned Frauen-Bundesliga champions Bayern are dreaming of the treble, but know they will need a near-perfect performance here to keep themselves in contention for their first-ever final ahead of the return leg. Their opponents also just secured their own domestic title and have run rampant in the Women’s Champions League ever since handing Bayern their only defeat of the season on Matchday 1; averaging four goals per game as they aim for a sixth successive final participation.

Where is the 2026 UEFA Women's Champions League final being played?

UEFA via Getty Images

Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway, will host the 2026 UEFA Women's Champions League final on Saturday 23 May.

The final will be the first UEFA women's club decider to be played in Norway, although Ullevaal – opened in 1926 and renovated on several occasions since – staged the UEFA Women's EURO final in both 1987 and 1997. It is the regular home of the Norway women's and men's national teams. The 2016 men's UEFA Super Cup was also held in Norway, in Trondheim.