Chelsea Women Stumble in Champions League Opener Against Twente

Chelsea Women’s Champions League journey began with frustration as Sonia Bompastor’s side was held to a 1-1 draw by Twente, despite moments of brilliance from Alyssa Thompson. The highly anticipated fixture at De Grolsch Veste was expected to showcase Chelsea’s dominance, but the English champions struggled to impose themselves against a spirited Dutch outfit.

Chelsea Women’s Champions League Hopes Hit Early Challenge

Chelsea Women entered the match as favorites, fielding a squad loaded with international talent. However, the opening stages saw the Blues lacking cohesion, a consequence of Bompastor making seven changes from the team that drew with Manchester United. Twente, with only one senior international starter, sensed an opportunity and pressed Chelsea hard, creating the more dangerous chances in the first half.

Alyssa Thompson Shines but Chelsea Lacks Cutting Edge

Alyssa Thompson, Chelsea’s electric young attacker, was the standout performer for the Blues. Her pace and directness threatened Twente’s defense several times. Early on, Maika Hamano missed a key opportunity, and Guro Reiten was denied by a last-ditch block. Thompson seemed to have broken the deadlock just after halftime, but her effort was disallowed for offside after a VAR check—an incident emblematic of Chelsea’s frustration on the night.

Twente Capitalize as Chelsea Falter in Front of Goal

Chelsea’s inability to convert their dominance into goals was punished midway through the second half. Twente’s Jill Roord surged forward to spark a counter, and Danique van Ginkel finished with a sublime curling effort, giving the Dutch side a shock lead. Bompastor’s side was suddenly facing an uphill battle in their Champions League opener.

Penalty Save Earns Chelsea a Point

Chelsea Women responded with urgency. Reiten, fouled inside the box, won a crucial penalty. Sandy Baltimore calmly converted from the spot, leveling the score and restoring hope for the visitors. Yet the Blues could not find a winner, despite a late surge that included a promising strike from debutante Chloe Sarwie.

Player Ratings: Standouts and Struggles

– Alyssa Thompson: 8/10 – Dynamic and dangerous throughout, unlucky not to score.
– Guro Reiten: 7/10 – Created chances, won the penalty, but lacked a finishing touch.
– Sandy Baltimore: 7/10 – Composed penalty and active on the left.
– Ellie Carpenter: 8/10 – Vital defensive interventions, especially in the first half.
– Maika Hamano: 6/10 – Missed a clear chance, struggled for impact.
– Chloe Sarwie: 7/10 – Impressive on debut, nearly snatched the winner.

What This Means for Chelsea Women’s Champions League Campaign

Chelsea Women will be disappointed with their inability to secure all three points against a Twente side deemed underdogs. The lack of chemistry and sharpness, possibly due to the squad rotation, was evident. With high expectations for a deep Champions League run, the Blues must regroup quickly. Bompastor’s tactical tweaks need time to gel, but improvement is essential if Chelsea are to challenge Europe’s best.

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Opinion: Early Setback Could Be a Blessing in Disguise

While the 1-1 draw is a setback, it serves as an early wake-up call for Chelsea Women. Facing adversity now could encourage stronger performances in future fixtures. Alyssa Thompson’s display was a bright spot, and as the squad adapts to Bompastor’s methods, expect cohesion and results to improve. The road to Champions League glory is rarely smooth—Chelsea’s response in the coming weeks will be telling.