Maximum excitement at Real Sociedad as they prepare to face Chelsea in the first leg of the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifiers. The team 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 aim to maintain the core squad that performed so well last season, finishing in 3rd position in Liga F Moeve with 66 points, securing their spot in the qualifiers for 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 only previous participation, in the 2022/2023 season, the Basque 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. Furthermore, during this summer transfer window, the San Sebastián side has played seven matches, recording three wins (one on penalties), three draws, and one defeat. Real Sociedad comes into this match after defeating Athletic Club 4-1 in the EH Kopa final. They will face Chelsea, who finished 3rd in their league last season. The English side, who have participated in the group stage in the previous five seasons, were UEFA Women's Champions League runners-up in the 2020/2021 campaign and reached the quarter-finals last year. The *txuri-urdin* team holds the 31st position in the FIFA ranking, while the 'Blues' secured 3rd place. The return leg will be played at Zubieta on Wednesday, September 2nd, at 19:00h, in the match that will decide which team advances to the league phase.

August 24, 2026