🔗 Share this article

Europe's premier competition remains the Blues' hard-to-catch prize. They desire it intensely. However, their title hopes took a hit on Dutch soil, a 1-1 draw against Twente far from the ideal start in a competition they aim to dominate.

Despite their dominance of the ball, the home side that struck first, through captain Danique van Ginkel, before Sandy Baltimore converted from the penalty mark to level the scores.

Home Success Yet Continental Disappointment

Each piece of silverware holds value, yet for the squad which has consistently triumphed domestically, the yearning for the missing trophy is intense. It escaped them under Emma Hayes’ tenure, loss against Barcelona in the 2020-21 final the nearest they got. Three straight semi-final defeats against the Catalan side, featuring a heavy combined defeat the previous campaign, have stung on every occasion.

Team Changes Proves Costly

The manager flexed her squad's depth ahead of the visit to the Netherlands, with only four players from the previous match on the pitch, yet it turned out expensive as they began their European journey in a new era – the initial phase now a league phase similar to the male competition.

The two sides faced off during the previous opening round, as Chelsea handing out a heavy overall defeat on the Dutch champions. The captain stated they would appear somewhat different one year on. “I trust we've matured a bit and can fix our past mistakes,” she added.

Twente's Maturity On Display

At their stadium that maturity showed, the hosts avoided to match Chelsea's press or engage individually, they proved an efficient unit, frustrating the Blues who sent wave after wave toward the goal.

Twente's players gather around their captain following the opening goal.

Yet, the hosts created the top chance of the half. Leonie Vliek found space following a smart exchange with Jill Roord, yet rather of aiming for goal she squared to their top scorer who was denied by the defense.

There was energy yet missing teamwork, the changes taking a toll, especially in the final third. A forward ought to have scored from a cutback but blasted high from the spot in a key moment, while the keeper helped keep Twente in it.

After the Break Drama

After halftime, a recent addition found the net, slotting home a driven ball, yet the assistant went up, the passer deemed in an illegal position.

The coach turned to the substitutes in an attempt to change the game soon after. Two starters made way, one due to a head injury, for fresh legs and a former Twente player.

Missed Chances

The home side created another golden chance to go ahead right around the 60-minute point. Having won the ball in the Chelsea third, a low cross reached a teammate in the box yet a challenge prevented the goal.

The hosts' chances were limited and as each missed without scoring, it seemed like the home side might pay the price. Yet, it was the Blues ruing their poor finishing. A pass back reached the captain who moved to her strong foot and fired into the net.

Late Equalizer

Chelsea kept pushing. They haven't delivered exciting displays this season but they have earned points and in the Netherlands they continued that pattern. A challenge on a player gave the visitors a penalty, although they might have earned one sooner when a late boot caught a player. Baltimore scored to make it even.

A victory escaped them, yet they possess chances to recover in future matches before facing old rivals and former champions.