Alexia Putellas with teammates on the pitch after Barcelona beat OL Lyonnes in last season's Women's Champions League final Credit: Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP

Barcelona begins its defense of the Women’s Champions League title on Wednesday as the Catalans aim to maintain their status as Europes’s leading club side while beginning a new era following the departure of captain Alexia Putellas.

Not ready to subscribe? Sign up here for our free newsletter.

Already have an account? Sign in here.