Chelsea Women’s new era under Sonia Bompastor began with drama, resilience, and a taste of European tension as they were held to a thrilling 1-1 draw by FC Twente Women in their UEFA Women’s Champions League opener. In a match filled with tactical intrigue, near misses, and late emotion, it was Sandy Baltimore’s composed penalty that salvaged a point for the English champions on a crisp night in Enschede.
The result may not have been what Chelsea envisioned when they arrived in the Netherlands, but it served as a valuable lesson for a side still adjusting to new methods and ideas under Bompastor’s stewardship. The French manager, who succeeded Emma Hayes in the summer, faced an early test of her tactical mettle — and while her team lacked fluidity at times, their determination ensured they did not leave empty-handed.
A New Chapter in Europe
The 2025–26 season marks a significant moment for Chelsea Women. After years of domestic dominance, they are once again chasing the elusive dream — to be crowned champions of Europe. Under Emma Hayes, Chelsea came close, reaching the final in 2021 but falling to Barcelona. With Bompastor at the helm — herself a Champions League-winning coach with Lyon — expectations remain sky-high.
The match against FC Twente was viewed as an ideal opportunity to set the tone. However, Bompastor had warned pre-match that Twente were not to be underestimated. The Dutch champions are a well-drilled, fast-paced side known for their attacking bravery, particularly at home.
“We must respect them,” Bompastor said before kick-off. “They are strong technically, they transition quickly, and they believe they can win every match. For us, it’s about managing the tempo and being clinical.”
Her words would prove prophetic.
Bright Start but Missed Chances
Chelsea began brightly, dominating early possession and pressing high up the pitch. The midfield trio of Erin Cuthbert, Melanie Leupolz, and Jessie Fleming dictated the rhythm, while Lauren James and Sandy Baltimore provided width and creativity. Up front, Sam Kerr, returning to full fitness, led the line with her trademark tenacity.
In the opening 20 minutes, Chelsea created two clear opportunities. James, dancing past two defenders, slipped a clever pass into Kerr’s path, but the Australian’s shot was well saved by Twente goalkeeper Jolien van Veenendaal. Moments later, Baltimore’s curling effort from distance grazed the post, drawing gasps from the away section.
Despite their early dominance, Chelsea’s lack of clinical finishing left them vulnerable — and Twente took full advantage.
Twente Strike First
Against the run of play, Twente broke the deadlock in the 34th minute. A swift counterattack caught Chelsea’s backline off-guard. Renate Jansen, Twente’s talismanic captain, led the charge down the right flank before delivering a pinpoint cross to Fenna Kalma, who rose above Millie Bright to nod home from close range.
The stadium erupted. For Twente fans, this was a moment of vindication — their belief in their team’s attacking style rewarded against one of Europe’s powerhouses. For Chelsea, it was a reminder of how fine the margins are in continental football.
The goal rattled Bompastor’s side. For the first time in the match, they looked unsettled. Twente, energized by the home crowd, pressed harder, forcing errors from Chelsea’s usually reliable midfield.
Just before halftime, another Twente counter nearly doubled their lead, but Ann-Katrin Berger produced a brilliant save to deny Kalma a second goal. Chelsea went into the break trailing, and Bompastor’s expression on the touchline said it all — frustration mixed with determination.
Bompastor’s Tactical Adjustments
The second half began with a noticeable shift in Chelsea’s structure. Bompastor made an early change, introducing Guro Reiten for Fleming, switching the formation to a more attacking 4-2-3-1. Cuthbert and Leupolz dropped deeper to anchor the midfield, allowing James, Reiten, and Baltimore to float behind Kerr.
The adjustment worked. Chelsea began to regain control of possession, stretching Twente’s defense wider. Baltimore, in particular, found more space to exploit on the left flank, testing the fullback repeatedly with her speed and dribbling.
In the 58th minute, Reiten nearly equalized when her curling free kick from 25 yards forced a fingertip save from van Veenendaal. Moments later, Kerr headed wide from close range — another missed opportunity that drew groans from the visiting supporters.
Still, the pressure was building. Chelsea’s patience, discipline, and persistence — hallmarks of Bompastor’s coaching — started to shine through.
Sandy Baltimore The Game-Changer
Sandy Baltimore’s summer transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Chelsea had raised eyebrows across Europe. Many wondered whether the French winger could adapt quickly to the physicality of the Women’s Super League and Chelsea’s high-tempo approach. But if there were doubts, she erased them in the second half against Twente.
In the 74th minute, Baltimore embarked on a mazy run into the box, dancing past two defenders before being brought down by Lieke van Eldik. The referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot. Twente’s players protested, claiming minimal contact, but VAR confirmed the decision.
As the crowd jeered, Baltimore picked up the ball herself. Despite the pressure, she remained ice-cool, sending van Veenendaal the wrong way with a perfectly placed strike into the bottom corner.
1–1.
Her celebration was calm yet defiant — a quiet acknowledgment that she had delivered when it mattered most. Her teammates swarmed around her, and on the sidelines, Bompastor applauded with a rare smile.
A Battle of Nerves in the Final Minutes
With the scoreline level, both sides pushed for a winner. Chelsea sought to assert their dominance, while Twente aimed to snatch a famous victory in front of their home fans. The closing 15 minutes were a tactical chess match.
Twente’s manager, Joran Pot, switched to a defensive 4-5-1, compacting the midfield and relying on counterattacks. Chelsea, meanwhile, introduced Fran Kirby — making her long-awaited European return — to inject creativity in the final third.
Kirby’s presence immediately lifted the tempo. In the 85th minute, she combined brilliantly with Reiten and James, setting up Kerr for what looked like a certain goal. But once again, van Veenendaal produced heroics, diving low to push the shot wide.
Twente had one final chance deep into stoppage time when Kalma’s speculative volley forced Berger into another sharp save. The whistle blew soon after, confirming the draw — a result both teams could take positives from, albeit for different reasons.
Post-Match Reactions
In her post-match comments, Bompastor focused on perspective and progress rather than frustration.
“Of course, we wanted to start with three points,” she said. “But I am proud of the character the players showed. We stayed calm, we adapted, and we fought until the end. It’s the first step of a long journey.”
When asked about Baltimore’s performance, she smiled knowingly.
“Sandy showed why we brought her here. She has the mentality of a winner. Her ability to create something out of nothing is what we need in matches like this.”
Baltimore, named Player of the Match, remained humble.
“It’s about the team. We didn’t give up, even when things weren’t easy. We have a lot of work to do, but this point will be important later.”
Meanwhile, Twente coach Joran Pot praised his team’s resilience:
“We played with heart and courage. To take a point against Chelsea shows how far Dutch women’s football has come. I’m proud of the players — they gave everything.”
Tactical Insights A New-Look Chelsea
For analysts, the match provided a glimpse into Bompastor’s evolving Chelsea. Gone are the days of direct, wing-heavy football. Instead, the French coach favors a more balanced, possession-based approach. Her use of flexible midfield roles allows for quick transitions while maintaining defensive solidity.
Against Twente, however, Chelsea’s buildup occasionally lacked speed. The absence of Kadeisha Buchanan in defense — ruled out due to injury — forced Millie Bright and Magdalena Eriksson to shoulder extra responsibility. Their experience helped stabilize the backline after the early goal, but there were moments of vulnerability in defending wide spaces.
In attack, the chemistry between Kerr, James, and Baltimore showed flashes of brilliance but also signs of growing pains. Bompastor’s challenge will be refining that understanding while managing rotation across multiple competitions.
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