Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez is urging his team to maintain their momentum and show no fear as they prepare for the crucial second leg of their Conference League semi-final against RC Strasbourg. Holding a slim 1-0 advantage from the first leg, secured by Alemao’s goal, Perez acknowledges the threat posed by Strasbourg.
Despite potential absences for Strasbourg, including striker Emanuel Emegha and winger Alvaro Garcia (who is a doubt due to a muscle injury), Perez stresses the importance of consistency. He wants his players to approach the match with confidence, drawing from their recent experiences and focusing on their own game.
“There shouldn’t be any difference. It’s worse to go into a match thinking it’s a fresh start. We’re winning 1-0, they’ve just come from behind, and we’ve just had someone comeback against us [AEK Athens]. We’re going to try to win it, and when the referee blows the final whistle, hopefully we can celebrate,” Perez told Diario AS.
His core message to the squad is to “keep going” and to “enjoy” the opportunity, emphasizing that they have earned this moment and should not be held back by fear.
“I’ll tell them to enjoy and not to be afraid” – Inigo Perez
Perez is hesitant to make promises about reaching the final but insists that the players must remain true to the process that has brought them this far. He aims to manage his own emotions, having felt the pressure keenly before the first leg, and looks forward to the support of the fans.
“I have different feelings than after the first leg. I had a lump in my throat. The lead-up to the match is always very emotional; I suffered more the other day. I’m going to like seeing the fans fully behind me. I really won’t deviate from my mental approach. Afterwards, hopefully we can get excited again,” he explained.
He views the intense atmosphere of the Stade la Meinau as a positive, providing extra motivation rather than intimidation. Perez believes his team has evolved since their previous European encounters and can use the environment to their advantage.
Acknowledging Strasbourg’s strong performance in the first half, Perez reiterates the need for Rayo to dictate their own style and play at their highest level to secure a spot in the final.
Gratitude to the Rayo Vallecano fans
The deep connection between the Rayo players and their supporters is a recurring theme. Perez expresses eternal gratitude but warns against complacency, stating that the team still has a “debt to repay” the fans.
Pacha Espino: ‘We have a divine group of people’
Left-back Pacha Espino echoes Perez’s sentiments, highlighting the exceptional team spirit. He describes the group as “divine” and credits the club’s support for his own resilience. Espino is eager to experience this significant moment and aims to deliver something special for the fans.
He anticipates a challenging match where Strasbourg will attempt to control possession, but believes Rayo’s path to success lies in adopting a proactive approach, similar to what they achieved in the first leg.
Rayo Vallecano will face Strasbourg at the Stade la Meinau on Thursday night, aiming to reach their first-ever European final. Both clubs are seeking a historic achievement, as Strasbourg also has no prior European final appearances.