Chelsea start UWCL bid with 1-1 draw at Twente

Chelsea began their bid for a first UEFA Women's Champions League title this season with a 1-1 draw at Twente in Enschede, a result that underlined both the club's status as favourites and the challenges facing a side still seeking continental silverware. Twente captain Danique van Ginkel put the home team ahead before Sandy Baltimore converted a spot kick to level for Chelsea, who dominated possession but were repeatedly frustrated in the final third.

The draw comes as Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor prepares a renewed assault on Europe after a summer of high-profile signings and the return of key players. Defender Ellie Carpenter arrived from Lyon and forward Alyssa Thompson joined late on deadline day, while striker Sam Kerr made her long-awaited return from an ACL injury. Those additions, and a near-perfect domestic campaign last season, have left bookmakers and club supporters expecting a deep run in the competition.

Chelsea's urgency is rooted in recent European disappointments. The club fell short in successive deep runs, including three consecutive semifinal exits to Barcelona and an 8-2 aggregate defeat to the Spanish side last season. Former England international...