Two clubs who have made difficult starts to the new Champions League format meet at the Bravida Arena in Gothenburg. Häcken lost 1:0 away to Inter Milan, while Juventus suffered a 2:1 home defeat to Benfica. That makes this a crucial match: dropping points for a second game in a row would seriously complicate qualification from the group.
Häcken Women
The Swedish club are the reigning UEFA Women's Europa Cup winners. Häcken are undisputed leaders domestically, having thrashed Norrköping 6:0 in the latest league round. In the Champions League, however, they have a selection problem: first-choice goalkeeper Jennifer Falk received a straight red card against Inter Milan and will miss the match against Juventus. Twenty-year-old Icelandic goalkeeper Fanny Birgisdottir, who has little experience at this level, will take her place. In attack, their main hope is 19-year-old Felicia Schröder, who has been nominated for the young player of the year award and scored a hat-trick in the Europa Cup final.
Juventus Women
The Turin club are multiple Italian champions with considerable European experience. The squad was rebuilt over the summer, losing all-time top scorer Cristiana Girelli but retaining a strong core. Juventus' form raises questions: they lost 2:1 to Benfica in the Champions League and drew 2:2 with Roma in the Coppa Italia final before winning on penalties. Four days before travelling to Sweden, Juventus played their opening Serie A match against Napoli, winning 3:1. That will inevitably affect the players' freshness, and the coaching staff are likely to rotate the squad.
Häcken Women vs Juventus Women Prediction
Both teams are in similar situations: defeat in the opening round makes points in this match crucial. Häcken have a fitness advantage: the Swedish league is in full swing, they are in excellent form and recently thrashed Norrköping 6:0. Juventus, meanwhile, have played their first official Serie A match of the season and are already feeling fatigued. Häcken are at home, where they have traditionally been strong, and we expect them to avoid defeat.
