Ainhoa drive fuels Real Sociedad’s Champions League tilt against Chelsea | OneFootball

Ainhoa Marín and Ainoa Campo have given Real Sociedad a fresh edge before their UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifier with Chelsea, and they are eyeing a Gipuzkoan upset. They join veteran left-back Ainhoa Moraza in a squad brimming with belief.

According to Diario Vasco, both are struck by the squad’s quality and facilities, and speak of ambition. Campo, 30, says they will go for everything and is content if her name is linked to the competition they want to reach. Marín, 25, schooled at Barcelona, believes chances will come and that progress needs two impeccable games and total concentration.

Campo highlights the boost of a second leg in Zubieta, saying home backing can add a push and asking why not beat Chelsea. The English side finished third in last season’s Women’s Super League and have lost Sam Kerr, Millie Bright, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Catarina Macario and Guro Reiten, with arrivals including McCabe, Matsakubo, Malard, Dragoni and Nelly Las. Marín, MVP of the EH Kopa final, notes Real know Chelsea well and that unfamiliarity the other way could aid a surprise.

Marín has been an early-season spark, blending tight control with runs into space and goals. She carries a Barça possession imprint and once fixated on Ronaldinho, also admiring Caroline Graham Hansen and Johan Cruyff. Campo long wore 14 for Cruyff, now taken by Intza Egiguren, while Marín will wear 8 after Andreia Jacinto.

Campo arrives with 184 Primera matches across Rayo, Madrid CFF, Real Madrid, Deportivo, Villarreal and Espanyol, and she views Real as serious about the women’s game. Marín has 91 Liga F appearances for Espanyol and Deportivo and has been wowed by team-mates, picking out Ainhoa Moraza, Paula Fernández, Klára Cahynová and goalkeeper Julia Arrula.

They admit to healthy tension, while families are already buzzing and plan to be in Zubieta on 2 September. Coach Arturo wants Marín more unpredictable, and with Campo’s steel and nous they aim to enrich Real. They say Chelsea will not beat them for enthusiasm, and want the anthem to ring in Wimbledon and Zubieta again and again.

Source: Diario Vasco

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”