As always, Chelsea have aspirations of winning the Women's Champions League. First and foremost though, last season's third-place finish in the Women's Super League means the Blues must navigate a two-legged qualifier later this month, if they are to join the other members of Europe's elite in the league phase.
The draw for the third qualifying round took place at UEFA headquarters in Nyon on Tuesday morning, and Chelsea found out that Real Sociedad will be their opponents.
UEFA Women's Champions League third qualifying round draw
League Path
- Chelsea vs Real Sociedad
- VfL Wolfsburg vs Internazionale Milano.
- Eintracht Frankfurt vs Paris Saint-Germain.
- Ajax vs Real Madrid
- SKN St. Pölten vs Juventus
Champions Path
- Brannn vs Austria Wien
- PSV Eindhoven vs HB Køge
- Sparta Prague vs Servette Chênois.
- Oud-Heverlee Leuven vs KKS Czarni Sosnowiec
Chelsea's high seeding, currently third in the UEFA club coefficient ranking, ensured they were guaranteed to avoid the other juggernauts involved in today's draw. Nevertheless, there were still some potentially tricky ties on the table, so they'll surely be generally pleased with the outcome.
Who are Chelsea's opponent's Real Sociedad?
Real Sociedad finished third in Liga F last season, the second-highest finish of their entire history. La Real came second in 2021/22, ending up below serial champions Barça Femení and Real Madrid last time round. They have also won the Copa de la Reina for the very first time in 2019, but were defeated 8-0 by Barcelona in the 2024 final by La Romareda.
Thus, los Txuri-Urdin have very limited UEFA competition expirence. In fact, their sole previous Champions League tie came at the same stage four years ago, swatted aside by Bayern Munich, beaten 1-0 in San Sebastián but then 3-1 in Bavaria. If they are ousted by Chelsea, which seems likely, Arturo Ruiz's team will drop into the second qualifying round of the UEFA Women's Europa Cup.
When and where will Chelsea vs Real Sociedad take place?
The first leg in West London is scheduled for Wednesday 26 August. With the Blues' men's first team due to face Luton Town in the EFL Cup the following night, the women's match may be moved away from Stamford Bridge to their new secondary home Plough Lane in Wimbledon.
A week later, the pair will meet again in the Basque Country on 3 September. With Real Sociedad's men's team taking on Celta de Vigo in La Liga at Anoeta that mid-week, the fixtures is expected to take place at the women's usual home of Zubieta Facilities.
How do the ties vs Real Sociedad fit into Chelsea's schedule?
What makes this clash even less ideal for Chelsea is the fact that it comes before the start of the new WSL season. Bompastor's team are currently down under, hammering Auckland FC Invitational XI 7-0 on Saturday, taking on the A-Leagues All Stars Women in Sydney on Wednesday.
Once they return, the Blues will face a busier schedule than anyone else.
Chelsea Women's upcoming fixtures
- Wednesday 26 September: Real Sociedad - Champions League. Plough Lane*. Kick off TBC.
- Wednesday 2 September: Real Sociedad - Champions League. Zubieta Facilities*. Kick off TBC.
- Friday 4 September: UEFA Women's Champions League league phase draw.
- Saturday 5 September: Aston Villa - WSL. Stamford Bridge. Kick off 12:30. BBC One.
- Sunday 13 September: Manchester United - WSL. The Progress With Unity Stadium. Kick off noon. Sky Sports.
- Saturday 19 September: Birmingham City - WSL. Stamford Bridge. Kick off 12:45. Sky Sports.
- 22 & 23 September: UEFA Women's Champions League league phase matchday one.
- Sunday 27 September: Arsenal - WSL. Stamford Bridge. Kick off 16:30. Sky Sports Main Event.
- 30 September & 1 October: UEFA Women's Champions League league phase matchday two.
Note: *indicates that venue is to be confirmed.
Add us as a preferred source on Google