Gareth Taylor’s side have been drawn into Group D alongside the holders FC Barcelona, Austrian champions St Polten and Swedish side Hammarby.
It won’t be easy for City, but O’Neill believes the squad have shown we’re capable of reaching the knockout stages, particularly in our emphatic qualifying win over Paris FC.
It’s a competition where our Managing Director feels we belong, and an opportunity she and the entire team are relishing.
“I think we’ve shown through our results in the WSL last season and our qualifying campaign that we have a team that can challenge for trophies in all four competitions,” O’Neill said.
“We have players with significant experience competing in continental competitions, plus very exciting young talent eager to make their mark on the European stage.
“The draw is an interesting one. I know the players will be looking forward to those games with Barcelona in particular.
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“As Laia Aleixandri said earlier this week, we feel we belong in the Champions League and facing the holders will be an exciting test for us.
“St Polten and Hammarby are equally strong sides, and just demonstrate the quality of opposition we’ll face in this competition.
“It’s a challenge we can’t wait to face, and having such a talented group is going to be critical as we fight on all fronts.”
Qualification for the Champions League also provides a major boost off the pitch as well as on it.
And O’Neill outlined some of the benefits the Club will feel from competing in Europe once again, particularly if we go deep in the tournament.
She added: “We’re on a journey to become the best women’s sporting organisation in the world. A key part of this lies in our aim to be a financially sustainable club.
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“Competing in the Champions League opens up new benefits and areas of revenue, especially if we reach the latter stages of the tournament.
“We all share the same vision, to compete for silverware in every competition possible.
“Our return to the Champions League group stages gives our players the chance to play on the European stage against some of the best teams in the world”
