Real Sociedad head into the opener after losing to Chelsea and seeing Arturo Ruiz leave the club. Logroño are unbeaten in pre-season and made life difficult for the Basque side twice last term.
Real Sociedad and Logroño United begin their Liga F campaigns in Zubieta on Saturday. La Real are the favourites, but go into the match in the middle of an exceptionally difficult week.
They lost 5-2 to Chelsea on Wednesday in the first leg of their third-round Women’s Champions League qualifier. The match was still level with half an hour remaining before the English side scored three times. A day later, Arturo Ruiz left the club, with Maider Castillo, Fernando Torres and Aitor Resende taking interim charge of the team.
Logroño begin a new chapter under Santiago García Olave. The club from La Rioja finished 14th last season, securing survival with 21 points. They are unbeaten this summer, drawing against Real Sociedad, Athletic Club and Osasuna and beating Cacereño.
The two league meetings last season were closely contested. Real Sociedad won 1-0 away at Las Gaunas through Nerea Eizagirre’s 99th-minute penalty. The return fixture in Zubieta ended 1-1 after Mia Asenjo equalised in the 86th minute. This summer’s friendly between the sides also finished 1-1.
Alazne Estensoro will be unavailable for Real Sociedad while she is away with Spain ahead of the Under-20 World Cup. Sonya Keefe, María Molina and Aiara Agirrezabala missed the Chelsea match, but the club have yet to announce their squad for Saturday.
Real Sociedad will look to start with a win before turning their attention back to Chelsea. Logroño have had more time to prepare and three recent meetings which suggest they can make this another difficult contest.
Real Sociedad vs Logroño United
Saturday 29 August · 12:00 CEST
Zubieta
Where to watch: DAZN