In search of a heroic comeback in Europe. That is how Real Sociedad head into the UEFA Women's Champions League second leg. Despite the 5-2 defeat in the first leg, the Basque side put in a very competitive display, even taking the lead. Fernando Torres, who has been assistant coach, will take charge of the dugout on an interim basis following the departure of Arturo Ruiz. The manager will be without Alazne Estensoro, who is away with the squad preparing for the U-20 World Cup, as well as the injured María Molina, Aiara Agirrezabala, and Sonya Keefe. None of the four players featured in the 2-0 defeat to Logroño United on the previous matchday. It is a slip-up that the *txuri-urdin* side are keen to put behind them as quickly as possible to focus on the European tie. The Basque outfit are already breaking new ground, competing in the Champions League for just the second time in their history. 

Their opponents in the 2022/2023 season were Bayern Munich, against whom the *txuri-urdin* side ultimately fell to a 4-1 aggregate defeat in the old second qualifying round. The only survivors from that match are Nerea Eizagirre, the club captain, and Cecilia Marcos. Meanwhile, Chelsea head into the fixture with a week's rest and looking to secure their place in the group stage following the first-leg result. The Basque club occupy 31st position in the FIFA rankings, whilst the Blues sit in 3rd. Should they pull off European qualification, Real Sociedad would reach the league phase for the first time in their history, although, should they fall short of a comeback, they would drop into the UEFA Women's Europa Cup—Europe's second-tier competition—becoming the first Spanish team to play in it.

August 31, 2026