Women's Champions League: Players to watch in the semi-final second legs

The UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final second legs are on Sunday; we pick four players looking to take their clubs to Lisbon.

Vanessa Gilles (Lyon)

Lyon will defend a 2-1 lead at home to Arsenal on Sunday, and with the Gunners boasting offensive options of the quality of Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, Mariona Caldentey, Caitlin Foord, Frida Maanum, Chloe Kelly and Stina Blackstenius, defend is a key word. Usually when the words 'Lyon' and 'defend' go together, 'Wendie' and 'Renard' swiftly follow, but a foot injury restricted the veteran to the bench in the first leg. Canadian centre-back Gilles, though - her regular partner - was present and correct, and crucial to the victory.

The 29-year-old has been on loan at Lyon from Angel City since September 2022, having previously played in France for Bordeaux. A 2021 Olympic gold medallist with Canada, Gilles combines physical strength, aerial ability and positional astuteness with comfort on the ball developed in her years in Europe.

Lyon's Vanessa Gilles denies Arsenal's Frida Maanum in the first legGetty Images

Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

Russo overcame injury suffered on international duty to start against Lyon last week, heading onto the bar in the first half and largely frustrated by Gilles and Co. But the England forward has not suffered too much frustration for Arsenal this season with a total of 18 goals, including seven in the Champions League.

That includes her double in the 3-0 win against Real Madrid that ensured Arsenal overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit to progress to this semi-final. Her hard work and unselfishness is combined with deadly finishing, and that will be crucial as Arsenal attempt to deny Lyon a 12th final appearance and send the Gunners to their first decider since 2007.

Guro Reiten (Chelsea)

Chelsea need to overturn a 4-1 deficit against Barcelona, and while Lauren James and Sam Kerr are among the injured players they cannot turn to, they have plenty of alternative attacking resources. Among them include Norway winger Reiten, not long back to full fitness herself, who is often the player for a big Chelsea occasion.

This season alone she has scored at home to Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Madrid (only the United game was not at Stamford Bridge) and also was on target in the second leg of the 2022/23 semi-final against Barcelona at Camp Nou (though the 1-1 draw was not enough for Chelsea). The versatile attacker, usually deployed on the left, has not just the ability but also the attitude that could make her a crucial part of any comeback.

Clàudia Pina (Barcelona)

It was only 1-0 to Barcelona when Pina was sent on with 24 minutes to go in the first leg. Two goals and an assist later from the 23-year-old, and Barcelona were fully in command of the tie, increasing Pina's lead as competition top scorer, her tally now at nine (she also got two from the bench in the quarter-final second-leg defeat of Wolfsburg).

Pina, whose attacking prowess was clear as she came up the youth ranks at Barcelona, has consistently contributed to their success despite their fierce competition for places. After the first leg, Irene Paredes told UEFA.com: "Clàudia Pina is just lovely madness. Everything she does, she does really, really well. She accepts when she's on the bench, but her goals give us life."