Maximum excitement at Real Sociedad as they prepare to face Chelsea in the first leg of the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying round. The side managed by Arturo Ruiz has made six signings during this summer transfer window: 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 are aimed at maintaining the core squad that performed so well last season, when they finished in 3rd place in Liga F Moeve with 66 points, securing their spot in the qualifying round of Europe's top competition. This will be the second time in their history that the txuri-urdin side will compete in this competition. In their previous participation, in the 2022/2023 season, the Basque side lost to Bayern de Múnich with a 4-1 aggregate score in the 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 wins (one of which was on penalties), three draws, and one defeat. Real Sociedad comes into this match after beating Athletic Club 4-1 in the EH Kopa final. Aiara Agirrezabala, Sonya Keefe, and María Molina will be unavailable in London. They will face Chelsea, who finished in 3rd place in their league. The English side, who have participated in the group stage in the previous five seasons, were runners-up in the UEFA Women's Champions League in the 2020/2021 season and reached the quarter-finals last year. The txuri-urdin side occupies 31st position in the FIFA ranking, while the 'Blues' secured 3rd place. The second leg will be played at Zubieta on Wednesday, September 2nd, at 19:00h in the match that will decide which team will reach the group stage.

August 24, 2026