UEFA Women's Champions League semifinals: Arsenal host OL Lyonnes in semifinal first leg

Semifinals second leg schedule

All times U.S./Eastern

Saturday, May 2

• OL Lyonnes vs. Arsenal 9 a.m. (Paramount+, CBS Sports Network)

Storylines for UWCL semifinals

Arsenal's title defense: If there's comfort in familiarity, then consider Arsenal in cruise control. Not overconfident, but definitely aware of what they are capable of. Despite the league phase being the bumpy part of their campaign, it may have paid off in their current form.

They're the only team remaining that also had to go through the knockout playoff phase. They made easy work of tournament debutants OH Leuven, outscoring them 7-1, and in the quarterfinals eliminated domestic rivals Chelsea FCin a chaotic finish during the second leg.

The Gunners have the benefit of focusing on another Champions League title as the domestic title is out of reach with just a few games remaining. Though this will be the third meeting against OL in a year, and sometimes facing a familiar foe has its challenges, even if the rivalry is just a budding one.

"We've learned a lot from those experiences last year, how much it takes, but it also inspires us to see what we can do and what we're capable of. Of course, we're going to face [OL Lyonnes] again, first home and then away, so it's going to be a big battle. We remember that from last year, but we really look forward to the challenge," said Arsenal manager Renee Slegers.

The squad will have to manage without Kyra Cooney-Cross, and now Beth Mead, who are unavailable for the match due to personal reasons.

OL Lyonnes, the perennial contenders: The French giants are on the hunt for a ninth Champions League title that has eluded them since 2022. They had an equally impressive start to their UWCL season, and rivaled Barcelona during the league phase, finishing second on the 18-team table on goal differential.

A club with an outrageous amount of talent on the roster, with Tabitha Chawinga and Melchie Dumorney, who have combined for eight goals in the build-up to the semifinal. Alongside veterans Wendie Renard and Ada Hegeberg are multiple Americans, including Korbin Shrader and U.S. women's national team players Lindsey Heaps and Lily Yohannes.

"We know Arsenal are a top side. But we are not really thinking about the opponent. We're focused on ourselves, and we know that if we put in our top performance, we can beat anyone. We'll be prepared," said Yohannes.

Head coach Jonatan Giraldez's biggest challenge will be determining the best lineups over the two legs, as the squad remains eager to return to the final.