UEFA Women’s Champions League: Is the new format easier for English teams?

Not exactly.

Defending champions Arsenal had to start their campaign against eight-time champions Lyon, who they beat in the semi-finals last season.

This time they lost and also lost to Bayern Munich in the league stage, which means they have a lot of work to do to qualify.

It has been a tense few months but wins over Real Madrid and Twente helped Arsenal to fifth in the table. They earned a positive draw in the knockout qualifiers, eschewing more established European sides such as Wolfsburg and Juventus to face competition newcomers OA Leuven, whom they had already beaten 3-0 in the league stage.

They improved on the scoreline in the first leg, winning 4-0, but Arsenal coach Rene Slijers insisted it had not been easy, saying her side found form when it mattered most.

“Before the first match, we were fully aware that Leuven had made things difficult for teams in Europe,” Sligers said after their 3-1 win in the second leg.

“We played really well in Leuven and were decisive. When we went into the second game, we knew we were already 4-0 up, so it became a different game.”

United had to face Atletico Madrid, who had reached the main draw six times in the past decade, having also played with them in the league stage.

The Spanish team is ranked sixth in the Spanish League, 25 points behind leaders Barcelona.

The competition was far from easy for United, as they had to play three qualifying rounds before the league stage – where they came from behind to beat Brann – and then met double winners Wolfsburg, Italian giants Juventus and record-holders Lyon in their group.

“It definitely wasn’t easy. I’ve really enjoyed the Champions League system to get here,” United coach Mark Skinner said. “He exposed us to different playing styles. The experiences helped us grow quickly.

“Looking back when we played Lyon, the close match against Valerenga and Juventus in the last game of the league stage, the growth is unbelievable from our team.”

Even Chelsea, which was at the top of the classification and qualified directly to the quarter-finals, had to play Barcelona and Wolfsburg in the league stage.

They face Arsenal next, and could still face Lyon and Barcelona on their way to the final.