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Europe's premier competition remains the Blues' hard-to-catch trophy. They desire it intensely. However, their credentials suffered in the Netherlands, a stalemate versus the hosts not at all the perfect beginning in a competition they aim to conquer.

Despite their dominance in possession, the home side who took the lead, via skipper Danique van Ginkel, before Sandy Baltimore scored from the penalty mark to level the scores.

Domestic Dominance Yet Continental Heartbreak

Each piece of silverware holds value, but for the squad that has repeatedly triumphed domestically, the longing for the missing trophy is powerful. It escaped them under Emma Hayes’ reign, defeat to Barcelona in the 2020-21 final the closest they came. Three straight semi-final defeats against the Catalan side, featuring a heavy combined loss the previous campaign, have stung on every occasion.

Squad Rotation Takes Its Toll

The coach flexed the team's strength ahead of the visit to Enschede, featuring just four players from the previous match in the lineup, yet it turned out expensive as they started their Champions League campaign under a new format – the initial phase replaced by league phase similar to the men's tournament.

The two sides faced off during the previous opening round, as Chelsea inflicting a heavy overall defeat to the Eredivisie winners. Van Ginkel stated they'd look a bit changed after a year. “I hope we've matured a bit and can address our past mistakes,” she said.

Home Side's Growth Evident

At their stadium that maturity was evident, the hosts avoided to match the Blues' pressure or engage individually, they were a cohesive team, frustrating the visitors who launched wave after wave at the home team.

The home side celebrate their captain following the first strike.

However, Twente had the top chance of the half. A player had room after a neat one-two with a teammate, yet rather of shooting she passed for the team's leading striker who was denied by a defender.

There was energy but a lack of cohesion, the rotations taking a toll, especially in the final third. A forward ought to have scored from a cutback but blasted high from close range in a key moment, while the keeper made key saves.

After the Break Drama

After halftime, a new signing scored a goal, slotting home a driven ball, yet the assistant was raised, the provider having been offside.

The coach looked to her bench to try to change the game shortly later. Two players were replaced, including one with a head injury, for new energy and an ex- Twente player.

Missed Chances

The home side created a clear opportunity to go ahead just before the 60-minute point. After regaining the ball in attack, a driven pass reached a teammate in the box but a tackle denied the chance.

Their opportunities were limited and as each missed without a goal, it seemed that Twente might pay the price. However, it was the Blues ruing their wastefulness. A pass back reached the captain who moved to her strong foot and fired into the net.

Leveling Penalty

The Blues continued pressing. They have not delivered exciting performances this term yet they've secured results and in the Netherlands they continued that pattern. A foul on Guro Reiten gave the visitors a penalty, though they could have earned one sooner from a high foot hit a teammate. Baltimore scored to tie the game.

A winner eluded them, yet they possess opportunities to recover in future matches ahead of meeting old rivals and title winners.