Sam Kerr back in Champions League, coming off the bench in Chelsea draw

[ad_1] Matildas celebrity Sam Kerr has returned to the Champions League however has failed to attain a decisive purpose after once more coming off the bench for Chelsea.

Seeking to be topped a European champion, the one main membership trophy that has eluded her, Kerr was given one other 23 minutes off the bench however couldn't hearth the Blues to victory.

They have been pressured to accept a irritating 1-1 draw at Dutch membership Twente Enschede of their group opener.

Although coach Sonia Bompastor made seven modifications to her line-up, she was nonetheless not ready to throw Kerr into the beginning XI, and the 32-year-old needed to start her fifth consecutive match on the bench.

For the fourth match in a row, with two hours of soccer now below her belt since her return from her 21-month lay-off with an ACL damage, Kerr didn't discover the web, along with her solely purpose thus far scored in her first comeback outing in opposition to Aston Villa final month.

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This was Kerr's first outing within the European event she so desperately desires to win since she scored in opposition to Swedish facet Hacken in December 2023, a match that proved her final earlier than she suffered the fateful damage on a coaching journey.

This time, she by no means appeared prone to seize a winner, after being introduced on within the 73rd minute following Chelsea's equaliser from a penalty by Sandy Baltimore.

Twente skipper Danique Van Ginkel had struck within the 63rd minute in opposition to the run of play with a curling shot from the sting of the field, however French worldwide Baltimore then transformed from the spot after a foul by Lynn Groenewegen on Guro Reiten.

Kerr's newest cameo got here after Matildas boss Joe Montemurro all however confirmed earlier this week that she can be concerned of their upcoming friendlies within the UK in opposition to Wales and England.

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Compatriot Ellie Carpenter, additionally prone to be referred to as up by Montemurro later this week, performed a full sport for the Blues at proper again, her first European outing since leaving France and eight-time event winners Lyon.

"We created a whole lot of alternatives and could not rating multiple," Bompastor stated.

"We had a number of conditions within the field and 18 crosses, solely six occasions we have been first on the ball. This isn't sufficient if you play a Champions League sport."

Actual Madrid had a better time beating Roma 6-2 at residence within the first week of the newly expanded league format, that includes 18 groups.

Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Wolfsburg have been additionally victorious.

Chelsea subsequent faces London rivals Tottenham in a Ladies's Tremendous League match, adopted by a second Champions League sport in opposition to Paris FC Féminines earlier than the worldwide break within the again half of October.