Juventus Women‘s hopes of qualifying for the group stage of the 2023/24 Women’s Champions League remain alive as they started their competitive campaign with a comprehensive 6-0 win over Kazakh side Okzhetpes in Frankfurt.
In the Round 1 qualification mini-tournament hosted in Frankfurt, Juventus‘ first competitive game of the new season got off to a bright start as Cristiana Girelli headed home the opener inside six minutes. Martina Lenzini added their second, with Arianna Caruso helping a Girelli effort over the line to send the Bianconere in with a three-goal lead at the break.
In the second half, Girelli headed in her second and Juve‘s fourth of the afternoon. Late on, Sofia Cantore added a fifth and Ella Palis netted the sixth with the last kick of the game, ensuring Juventus‘ campaign started on the right foot just days after Joe Montemurro had penned a contract extension at the club.
The win allows Juventus to move into the final of the Round 1 mini-tournament, which will be played on Saturday, September 9 in Frankfurt. A maximum of three more games – the Round 1 final and a potential two-legged Round 2 tie – await the Bianconere before reaching the group stage in a complicated qualification format, explained in its entirety below.
Women’s Champions League qualification explained
The qualification phase for the Women’s Champions League is long and appears complicated at first glance. It is split into two paths – the Champions Path and the League Path. Juventus Women are attempting to qualify via the League Path, which is explained below.
The League Path: Juventus’ Women’s Champions League qualification route
There are five group stage places on offer in the League Path, which began with 22 sides – Juventus included – competing to secure them.
In Round 1, 16 teams entered and were split into four mini-tournaments each consisting of four teams, from each of which only one team will advance to Round 2. Juventus‘ 6-0 win over Okzhetpes confirmed their place in the final of the Round 1 mini-tournament. Juventus will now face hosts Eintracht Frankfurt or Slovacko in the final.
The winner of Eintracht Frankfurt/Slovacko vs Juventus will advance to Round 2, to which six teams (Wolfsburg, PSG, Real Madrid, Sparta Praha, Hacken and Manchester United) have direct entry.
Round 2 consists of two-legged playoff ties, with the winner of each qualifying for the group stage of the 2023/24 Women’s Champions League.
2023/24 Women’s Champions League Calendar
The full 2023/24 Women’s Champions League fixtures calendar is as follows:
Qualification: Round 1 (Single-venue mini-tournaments)
- Semi-finals: September 6 – Juventus 6-0 Okzhetpes)
- Finals: September 9 – Eintracht Frankfurt/Slovacko vs Juventus
Qualification: Round 2 Draw
- September 15
Qualification: Round 2
- First leg: October 10/11
- Second leg: October 18/19
Group Stage Draw
- October 20
Group Stage
- Matchday 1: November 14/15
- Matchday 2: November 22/23
- Matchday 3: December 13/14
- Matchday 4: December 20/21
- Matchday 5: January 24/25
- Matchday 6: January 30/31
Quarter-final & semi-final draw
- February 6
Quarter-finals
- First leg: March 19/20
- Second leg: March 27/28
Semi-finals
- First leg: April 20/21
- Second leg: April 27/28
Final (San Mames, Bilbao)
- May 24/25/26 (TBC)
