How and when to watch UEFA Women’s Champions League reverse fixture between Olympique Lyon and Juventus

Topics: UEFA Women's Champions League, Olympique Lyonnais, Juventus, Saki Kumagai, Christiana Girelli, Serie A Women, Division 1 Feminine

A nerve-wracking 3-2 Olympique Lyonnais comeback win over Juventus in Turin was the standout UEFA Women’s Champions League round of 32 first leg fixture last week. In effect, La Vecchia Signora will attempt to upset Lyon once again in the second leg scheduled to kick off on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 1 p.m. ET at Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

Juventus stunned seven-time European champions Lyon in the first half of the home fixture last week, heading into halftime up 2-1. However, the home side was not able to cope with the pressure of Lyon’s heavy hitters and conceded two in the second half. Nonetheless, it is not over for the bianconeri, who will have one more shot to defy the queens of Europe on Tuesday in France.

Both teams will arrive at the away leg having won their domestic league games in the weekend. Lyon took down Division 1 Feminine bottom-dweller Issy FF 9-0 to remain one point behind league-leaders PSG. On the other hand, Juve took down Roma 4-1 to cement its status as Serie A Women leaders.

It is important to note that Lyon has not lost or tied a home game since April 29, 2017, when Les Lyonnaises fell to Manchester City 1-0 in a return leg. Lyon ended up going through to the next round, winning by an aggregate score of 3-2. With that in mind, Juventus will face take on its biggest task since the club’s birth in 2017.

Lyon vs. Juventus: players to watch

Japanese international Saki Kumagai is Lyon’s lifeline when the team needs it most. Last Tuesday, Kumagai scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute. The 30-year-old midfielder also scored the game-winner against Wolfsburg in the UEFA Women's Champions League Final last season. As for Juventus, Italian forward Christiana Girelli is the team’s go-to attacker. The veteran forward has 11 goals in ten league games this season and she will look to replicate her league goalscoring ability in the UWCL.

Big European clubs investing in its young women's teams

Juventus’ attempt to dethrone the reigning UEFA Women’s Champions League champs in the home fixture of the round of 32 proved to be a revelation of what is to come in European women’s football. European giants like Juventus, Manchester United and Real Madrid have invested heavily in their women’s team, leading to a more competitive playing field in its domestic leagues and the UWCL.

The world of football will be watching closely as the new kids on the block will attempt to take down long-time European giants in what seems like a nearly impossible task.