European Giants Clash: Twente Women Host Chelsea Women in UWCL Opener

The UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) group stage ignites with a captivating encounter as Dutch champions FC Twente Women welcome English powerhouse Chelsea Women to Sportpark Het Diekman (De Grolsch Veste) in Enschede, Netherlands. This opening fixture, set for October 8, 2025, at 16:45 UTC, pits an in-form Twente side against a Chelsea team brimming with European ambition and seeking to lift the continent’s most coveted club trophy for the first time. The match holds an interesting subplot as Chelsea’s rising star, Wieke Kaptein, returns to face her former club, adding an emotional layer to this high-stakes contest. Can the Dutch dark horses spring a surprise on their home turf, or will the Blues assert their dominance and begin their European campaign with a resounding statement? The stage is set for a thrilling battle where tactical prowess, individual brilliance, and unwavering determination will determine who draws first blood in the group phase.

Head-to-Head: A Recent Rivalry

The history between Twente Women and Chelsea Women is brief but telling, having been forged recently in the cauldron of the UWCL. The two sides were drawn together in Group B of last season’s competition (2024-2025), with Chelsea emerging victorious in both encounters.

• Total Matches Played: 2
• Chelsea Wins: 2
• Twente Wins: 0
• Draws: 0

The previous results demonstrate Chelsea’s attacking firepower and Twente’s challenge against a top-tier opponent:

• October 2024: Twente Women 1 – 3 Chelsea Women (in the Netherlands)
• December 2024: Chelsea Women 6 – 1 Twente Women (at Stamford Bridge)

Chelsea dominated these meetings, securing a comprehensive 9-2 aggregate scoreline across the two fixtures. These high-scoring affairs highlight Chelsea’s offensive capabilities and suggest that Twente will need a significant defensive improvement to contain the English champions.

Current Form & Team News

Twente Women

FC Twente Women arrive at this fixture in scintillating domestic form, having made an excellent start to their 2025-2026 season. They currently sit atop the Vrouwen Eredivisie table, boasting a perfect record with maximum points from their opening four matches, two points clear of rivals Ajax.

• Last 5 Matches (All Competitions): W-W-W-W-W
  • 3-1 vs PSV (Eredivisie)
  • 4-0 vs GKS Katowice (UWCL Qualifying)
  • 3-1 vs GKS Katowice (UWCL Qualifying)
  • 2-0 vs Breidablik (UWCL Qualifying)
  • 6-0 vs Crvena zvezda (UWCL Qualifying)

Twente breezed through the UWCL qualifiers with an impressive 8-1 aggregate victory over GKS Katowice. Their attacking prowess is evident, with eight of their nine games across all competitions this season producing three goals or more. There are no significant reported injury concerns for the Twente Women’s squad heading into this crucial European fixture, suggesting a full-strength lineup will be available to coach Joran Pot. Captain Danique van Ginkel will be key in leading her side.

Chelsea Women

Chelsea Women also enter this match in formidable shape, maintaining an unbeaten start to their 2025-2026 campaign across all competitions. They lead the Women’s Super League (WSL) table with four wins and one draw from their opening five matches, holding a one-point advantage over Manchester City.

• Last 5 Matches (All Competitions): W-W-W-W-D
  • 4-0 vs West Ham United Women (WSL)
  • 2-1 vs Leicester City Women (WSL)
  • 2-1 vs Aston Villa Women (WSL)
  • 5-0 vs Manchester City Women (WSL)
  • (One draw in their five-game unbeaten start, specific opponent not detailed in available results)

Team News: Chelsea faces some notable absences. Star forward Lauren James sustained an injury while on international duty at Euro 2025 and is currently sidelined. Additionally, Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel were still in recovery from ACL injuries as of January 2025, and while they may be nearing a return, their full match fitness for this high-intensity game remains questionable. Defender Naomi Girma was also recovering from injury as of April 2025. Despite these potential setbacks, Chelsea’s squad depth is immense. Standout players include Aggie Beever-Jones, who has been Chelsea’s top scorer in the WSL this season with four goals, and Catarina Macário, a crucial playmaker known for her set-pieces and box presence. Defender Lucy Bronze brings invaluable experience, while captain Millie Bright remains a pivotal figure in defence. Wieke Kaptein, a former Twente player, has integrated seamlessly into the Chelsea squad, making 33 appearances and contributing significantly in her first season, and has already scored twice in Chelsea’s opening five matches this season.

Tactical Preview

Chelsea, under coach Sonia Bompastor, is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation. Their style of play emphasizes a dynamic attack, with strikers like Mayra Ramirez capable of making runs behind the defence or dropping deep to link up play. The attacking midfielder acts as a “Swiss army knife,” facilitating quick combinations and pressing the opposition’s playmaker. Chelsea also employs an aggressive press, particularly effective against teams playing with a back three. Their build-up play often involves central defenders spreading wide, with a holding midfielder dropping to create a diamond shape in possession.

Twente, known for their attacking flair and high-scoring matches, will likely adopt an assertive approach. While specific tactical formations for the Twente Women’s team aren’t as widely documented as Chelsea’s, their captain Danique van Ginkel indicated a shift from last season’s “full-on pressing, one-on-one” approach to a more “matured” strategy, suggesting a refined tactical outlook. Given their recent goal-scoring form, they will look to exploit any defensive lapses from Chelsea, particularly with their ability to score multiple goals.

The midfield battle will be crucial. Chelsea’s options in the double pivot, including Kiera Walsh, Erin Cuthbert, Sjoeke Nusken, Oriane Jean-Francois, and Wieke Kaptein, will aim to control the tempo and supply their potent attack. Twente will need a strong performance in the middle of the park to disrupt Chelsea’s rhythm and launch their own counter-attacks. Travel fatigue for Chelsea, making the journey from England, could be a minor factor, but as seasoned European competitors, they are accustomed to such demands. The pitch conditions at De Grolsch Veste are expected to be excellent, providing an ideal surface for open, attacking football.