Maximum excitement for Real Sociedad as they prepare to face Chelsea in the first leg of the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying round. The team managed by Arturo Ruiz has made six new signings this summer: Ava Seelenfreund (Torreense), Sonya Keefe (Granada CF), Esther Laborde (Madrid CFF), Ainhoa Marín (Deportivo Abanca), Ainoa Campo (RCD Espanyol), and Laura Camino (SD Eibar). These signings aim to maintain the core squad that proved so successful last season, when they finished in 3rd position in Liga F Moeve with 66 points, securing their ticket to the qualifying rounds of Europe's premier club competition. This will be only the second time in their history that the Basque club competes in this tournament. In their only previous participation, during the 2022/2023 season, the team was eliminated with a 4-1 aggregate score in the former second qualifying round.

The only survivors from that match are Nerea Eizagirre and Cecilia Marcos. During the summer transfer window, the San Sebastián club has played seven matches, recording three victories (one on penalties), three draws, and one defeat. The Real Sociedad comes into this tie after defeating Athletic Club 4-1 in the EH Kopa final. Aiara Agirrezabala, Sonya Keefe, and María Molina will be unavailable in London. Facing them will be Chelsea, who finished 3rd in their domestic league. The English side, having participated in the group stage for the last five seasons, were runners-up in the UEFA Women's Champions League in the 2020/2021 campaign and reached the quarter-finals last year. The txuri-urdin currently sit 31st in the FIFA rankings, while the 'Blues' achieved 3rd place. The return leg will be played at Zubieta on Wednesday, September 2nd, at 19:00h, in the duel that will decide which team progresses to the league phase.

August 24, 2026