Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez is emphasizing continuity as his team prepares for the second leg of their Conference League semi-final against RC Strasbourg. Holding a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg, courtesy of a goal from Alemao, Perez remains cautious about Strasbourg’s capabilities.
Strasbourg faces potential setbacks with striker Emanuel Emegha, who started the first leg, uncertain due to missing training. However, midfielder Valentin Barco and right-back Guela Doue are expected to be fit. Star winger Alvaro Garcia’s availability is a late decision as he recovers from a muscle injury. Perez’s primary message to his squad is clear: avoid any hint of fear.
“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 come back against us [referencing AEK Athens]. We’re going to try to win it, and when the referee blows the final whistle, hopefully we can celebrate,” Perez stated to Diario AS.
“The message is that we should keep going. There’s been a game and a few days in between, but we have to make the effort. I hope people don’t allow themselves a single second of fear, that they enjoy it because they deserve it.”
“I’ll Tell Them to Enjoy and Not Be Afraid” – Inigo Perez
The Rayo Vallecano manager refrained from promising a place in the final, instead stressing the importance of adhering to the process that has brought them this far.
“I never like to promise something I can’t deliver. I can’t promise we’ll be in Leipzig. But we can promise to stay true to the process that’s brought us here. We must stay true to it. There’s not much more to say. The excitement is building. Tomorrow I’d tell them to enjoy themselves and not be afraid of what might happen.”
Perez acknowledged experiencing emotional turmoil before the first leg but appears more composed for the upcoming tie.
“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.”
“It’s an ideal setting. Just like in Athens. You’d prefer the noise to be lower, but it won’t happen tomorrow. We like these kinds of environments. It’s extra motivation. We’re not the same as we were in Athens; what happens here helps us correct our course and transform ourselves.”
Despite Strasbourg’s strong first-half performance in Vallecas, Perez highlighted the need for Rayo to dictate their own style of play.
“We had watched and analyzed them, and from the first minute, we saw that they were good and played well. Beyond what the other teams offer, we have to focus on our own game. We need to be at our best to reach the final because they are at a very high level.”
Gratitude to the Rayo Vallecano Fans
The strong connection between Rayo’s players and their supporters has been a defining feature of their European campaign, reaching its zenith in the first leg.
“The gratitude is eternal. I won’t allow myself to say ‘being here is an honour, that’s enough.’ I didn’t win the finals I played, not even with Iraola. It’s true, but it’s a message we send unintentionally, and they have to play tomorrow. If you hear it too many times, maybe there will come a moment when the player thinks that’s enough. We’re at halftime; we mustn’t allow that. We still have to repay our debt to the fans.”
Pacha Espino: ‘We Have a Divine Group of People’
Perez has consistently praised his players’ collective spirit, a sentiment echoed by left-back Pacha Espino.
“I’m really excited. It’s wonderful to be experiencing this; we have a divine group of people, and that makes it even better. What I’ve experienced has given me a lot of strength; the whole club has supported me to keep going and fight. I hope to give them something special.”
“You’re really looking forward to it. I’ve never experienced anything like this. It’s the adrenaline rush of wanting it to be Thursday, but you have to take it easy, like any match, even if it’s different.”
Espino emphasized the need for his team to assert dominance over Strasbourg rather than be pinned back.
“They have a very distinct style of play and will want to dominate us through possession and pin us back in our own half. The way forward is what we did in the first leg.”
Rayo Vallecano will face Strasbourg at the Stade la Meinau at 21:00 CEST on Thursday, aiming to secure their first-ever European final appearance in their second attempt. Strasbourg is also seeking their maiden European final.
