Chelsea begin the league phase of the Women’s Champions League against Austria Wien at Plough Lane on Wednesday as the two clubs meet for the first time in UEFA competition. For the Blues, it is the beginning of another attempt to finally capture the one major trophy still missing from their collection. For Austria Wien, tonight is their first-ever appearance in the Champions League proper. A third-place finish in the WSL last season for Chelsea forced Sonia Bompastor’s side into Champions League qualifying for the first time. The Blues handled the assignment comfortably enough, beating Real Sociedad 5-2 at Plough Lane before a 1-0 victory in San Sebastián completed a 6-2 aggregate win and secured their sixth consecutive appearance at the group-stage or league-phase level. By Chelsea’s standards, however, the ‘25-‘26 campaign was an unusual one. Their six-year reign as English champions came to an end as they finished third in the WSL, while Arsenal eliminated them 3-2 on aggregate in the Champions League quarterfinals. Chelsea retained the Women’s League Cup but left Bompastor with obvious areas to address heading into year three of her tenure. This summer, Katie McCabe arrived from Arsenal to strengthen an already experienced defense, while Manaka Matsukubo and Melvine Malard added new attacking options. Giulia Dragoni and Nelly Las also joined a squad that remains loaded with international talent. Chelsea opened their WSL campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Aston Villa but dismantled Manchester United 5-0 away from home before beating Birmingham City 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. That leaves the Blues with seven points from their opening three league matches, 8 goals scored and back-to-back clean sheets heading into Europe. Still, Chelsea enter Wednesday with questions surrounding their attack. Lauren James remains perhaps their most naturally creative player, capable of producing something from situations where very little appears available. She was voted Chelsea’s Player of the Season and named to the PFA WSL Team of the Year after scoring five times in 14 domestic appearances last year. Keeping her consistently available has proved more difficult. She will not be available against Austria Wien. Austria Wien arrive in London with significantly less European pedigree but plenty of momentum. The Violets made history last season by capturing their first Austrian Frauen Bundesliga championship, sealing a domestic double in dramatic fashion with Carina Wenninger’s last-gasp equalizer against SKN St. Pölten on the final day. That title gave Austria another opportunity in Europe after reaching the quarterfinals of the inaugural UEFA Women’s Europa Cup the previous season. This time, they took it. Austria began Champions League qualifying with a 3-2 victory over Hajduk Split before thrashing Farul Constanța 5-0. Brann then threatened to end their run when the Norwegian side won the first leg of their third-round tie 2-1. Back in Vienna, the Violets overturned the deficit with a 4-0 victory to advance 5-2 on aggregate and reach the league phase for the first time in club history. 27-year-old Modesta Uka scored six times in four qualifying matches, including a hat trick in the decisive second leg against Brann. Uka has established herself as the most obvious individual threat Chelsea will need to contain. For Austria Wien, merely walking onto the pitch at Plough Lane represents club history. For Chelsea, it is supposed to be only the beginning. The Violets have already fought through three opponents to reach Europe’s biggest stage. On Wednesday, they find out what happens when that journey brings them face-to-face with one of the continent’s most experienced Champions League sides.