Real Sociedad v Rosenborg background

• #EQUALGAME
This week, football fans watching UEFA Europa League matches in stadiums, online and on TV will witness the premiere of the new UEFA RESPECT TV ads, called #EqualGame. The adverts feature Ada Hegerberg, Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo and amateur players and will run throughout the season to promote inclusion, diversity and accessibility in European Football with the motto "Everyone has the right to enjoy football, no matter who you are, where you're from, or how you play." More information on the campaign and on the advertisements can be found in the accompanying media release and on the campaign website: www.equalgame.com.

Real Sociedad picked up just one point in their last UEFA group stage campaign, but will expect to do much better as they welcome Rosenborg in UEFA Europa League Group L.

Previous meetings
• The sides are meeting for the first time, and it is Real Sociedad's first game against Norwegian opponents.

• Rosenborg's record in 19 matches against Spanish teams is W5 D3 L11 (W1 D2 L6 in Spain).

Form guide
• Real Sociedad won their last two European home games, but failed to record a victory – or indeed score at home – in their last group stage campaign, in the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League.

• Rosenborg are unbeaten in three European away matches this season: W1 D2, knocking out last May's beaten finalists Ajax in the play-offs.

• Although Real Sociedad played in the UEFA Champions League group stage in 2003/04 and 2013/14, the San Sebastian side are making their debut at this stage of the UEFA Europa League.

• Rosenborg have featured in four UEFA Cup and UEFA Europa League group stage campaigns, but have yet to make it through one – though they have got to the round of 32 via the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Links and trivia
• The journey from Trondheim to San Sebastian is a little short of 2,400km.

• Rosenborg's Nicklas Bendtner and Real Sociedad's Carlos Vela were team-mates at Arsenal from 2005–12, though both were loaned out for long spells during those seven years.

The coaches
• Real Sociedad boss since 2015, Eusebio Sacristán can complete a full set of major UEFA trophies this season, having won the European Cup and Cup Winners' Cup as a midfielder with Barcelona. He was also Barcelona's assistant coach and B team boss.

• Trondheim-born Kåre Ingebrigtsen has steered Rosenborg to two Norwegian titles since taking charge in 2014. He played for the club in three spells as a midfielder, and was on the books at Manchester City from 1992–94.