Esmee Brugts: ‘There’s a lot of pressure on Barcelona’ in UWCL mission

Brugts was part of the team that lost in incredible fashion to Arsenal in the 2025 UWCL final. Stina Blackstenius’ goal was the only difference between the sides, despite Barcelona having 20 shots and Arsenal just eight.

MARCH 19: Alexia Putellas of FC Barcelona speaks to team mate Esmee Brugts during the UEFA Women’s Champions League on March 19, 2025. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

A team like Barcelona though tend to only come back stronger after defeat. The side stand 13 points clear at the top of Liga F, alongside finishing in first place of the UWCL group stage.

“That makes you hungry.” Brugts confessed. “As a top athlete, you are hungry to go for more. I think I’m surrounded by such players that are also never satisfied with what we have. We always want more and I learn so much by being surrounded by these teammates.”

‘It doesn’t matter the format, I just love to play’

This is the first sesaon the UEFA Women’s Champions League has been played out under the new group stage format. The competition shifted from a 16 team multi-group stage to a singular 18 team group, with some teams automatically progressing to the next stage and others facing play-offs.

Under the new format, the clubs face fixtures against six different teams in the league phase, playing half of those matches at home and half of them away. There has been a mostly positive reaction from teams, players and fans alike around the new system.

“For me it doesn’t matter, I just really love to play.” Brugts admitted. “I think everybody in Barcelona agrees. I do think it’s a lot more competitive in this format, which has been really nice as a player. It’s also good for the fans, it’s attractive to watch. I would say it’s really good that we made this development, but I always enjoy football.”

Bayern Munich stand between Barcelona and the UWCL final

German champions Bayern Munich defeated Manchester United twice in the quarter finals to face-off against Barcelona for a spot in the final. The teams faced each other in the group stage, where the Spanish side dealt Bayern one of the heaviest defeats in UWCL history, with the game finishing 7-1.

However, Brugts is aware the repeat fixtures are unlikely to be as comfortable as that victory.

“I mean, of course we go into these games trying to win, there’s a lot of pressure on us. Maybe people will think about the last game but we’re trying not to as a group.

“It’s going to be a game where both teams probably have many chances. Of course I hope to go in as focussed as we did the last game, to score a goal early again, but of course they will have learned from that. I think that’s football, prepare as best as possible and to be focussed is our main priority.”

MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 25: Esmee Brugts of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring her team’s first goal with teammate Alexia Putellas during the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 25, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

What actually is Esmee Brugts position on the pitch?

Esmee Brugts is the living, breathing definition of a shapeshifter. The talented defender can play anywhere across the back, and even step out into midfield. She brings goals and assists to a campaign and doesn’t look out of place further up the pitch. The 22-year-old is more than aware of her utility player talents.

“I have several roles, it depends really on the plan of the game,” she explained. “I remember my first goal against Bayern Munich. I had the freedom to play inside more like a midfielder you could say. This is Barca though, and we are all very free to play where we can. It also depends on Pepe [Romeu] where he wants to utilise me in each game. Yeah, I can play on the outside, inside, further up the field, it all depends.”

Where to watch Bayern Munich v Barcelona?

The UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals will be on Saturday, 25th April starting with Bayern Munich hosting Barcelona at the Allianz Arena and tickets can be bought here. The return leg will be at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, 3rd May.

The other semi-final will kick off between Arsenal and Lyon on Sunday, 26th April and the second leg will commence on Saturday, 2nd May.

You can also watch every match of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, live on Disney+ as part of existing customer subscriptions.

Related articles from Her Football Hub:

• The Saad Kassis-Mohamed initiative and the hidden cost of keeping women in para football
• A new chapter begins: San Marino launch first women’s senior national team
• World Sevens Football to land in London as Man United and Aston Villa places confirmed