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The Champions League continues to be Chelsea's hard-to-catch prize. They desire it intensely. Yet, their credentials suffered on Dutch soil, a 1-1 draw against Twente not at all the ideal start in a competition they hope to conquer.

Despite their dominance of the ball, the home side that struck first, through captain Danique van Ginkel, prior to Sandy Baltimore scored from the penalty mark for the equaliser.

Home Success Yet Continental Disappointment

Each piece of silverware is precious, but for the team that has consistently won it all, the yearning for the final piece is intense. It eluded them during Emma Hayes’ reign, loss against Barcelona in the championship match the closest they came. Three straight semi-final defeats against the Catalan side, including an 8-2 aggregate loss last season, have hurt each time.

Team Changes Proves Costly

The coach flexed her squad's depth for the trip to Enschede, with only four players from the last game in the lineup, but it proved costly as they began their European journey in a new era – the group stage replaced by expanded stage similar to the male competition.

The two sides met in last season's opening round, with the Blues handing out a heavy overall defeat on the Dutch champions. The captain remarked they would appear a bit changed after a year. “I hope we've matured a bit and can address what we did wrong,” she said.

Home Side's Growth On Display

At their stadium that maturity showed, Twente didn't attempt to compete with Chelsea's press or battle individually, they proved an efficient unit, irritating the visitors who launched wave after wave toward the goal.

The home side celebrate their captain following the first strike.

However, Twente had the best opportunity of the half. Leonie Vliek had room following a smart exchange with Jill Roord, yet rather of aiming for goal she squared to their top scorer but the effort was cleared by a defender.

Chelsea showed spirit yet missing cohesion, the changes taking a toll, particularly in attack. Maika Hamano ought to have scored from a cutback but fired over from the spot in their best effort, and the goalkeeper helped keep Twente in it.

After the Break Drama

After halftime, a recent addition found the net, slotting home a low cross, but the flag was raised, the provider deemed offside.

The coach looked to the substitutes in an attempt to change the game shortly later. Two players made way, including one with a concussion, for fresh legs and an ex- hosts' star.

Wasted Opportunities

The home side created a clear opportunity to go ahead just before the 60-minute point. Having won possession in the Chelsea third, a driven pass reached a teammate in the box yet a challenge denied the chance.

Their opportunities were scarce and with every passed without a goal, it seemed like the home side might pay the price. However, it was Chelsea regretting their poor finishing. A cutback reached the captain who moved to her strong foot and fired into the net.

Late Equalizer

Chelsea kept pushing. They haven't produced thrilling performances this season yet they've secured results and in the Netherlands they continued that pattern. A foul on a player earned the away side a penalty, though they could have earned one sooner from a high foot caught a player. Baltimore scored to tie the game.

A victory escaped them, but they have chances to bounce back in future matches ahead of meeting familiar foes and former champions.