Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez believes his team’s performance in their Conference League semi-final victory over RC Strasbourg was their finest under his management. The 1-0 win, which secured Rayo’s place in the final in Leipzig, also earned La Liga an additional Champions League spot for the next season, a feat celebrated by various fanbases.
Perez expressed his satisfaction with the game, stating, “I think it’s the best match played since I’ve had the good fortune to manage Rayo, due to the level of offensive and defensive play.” He highlighted the team’s composure and the quality of their play, particularly in the second half and the initial 65 minutes, calling them “some of the best I’ve seen as a coach.” He emphasized the collective spirit as the driving force behind their European success, noting, “Our strength lies in the collective, and without that, it’s impossible to understand how we’ve reached a final.”
Looking ahead, Rayo will face Crystal Palace in the final. Perez acknowledged Palace as a “great team” but expressed confidence in his side’s ability to compete. The upcoming final also marks a potential swansong for veteran player Oscar Trejo, who has announced his departure at the end of the season. Perez lauded Trejo’s fundamental role in the team’s journey, stating, “It’s impossible to have had this journey without Trejo. He deserves it more than anyone.” Trejo himself expressed his disbelief and joy at the prospect of ending his Rayo career in a European final, calling it “a gift at the club of my life.”
Perez also paid a heartfelt tribute to his former manager, Marcelo Bielsa, crediting him with transforming his perspective on the game and his personal life. “Marcelo, apart from everything he gave me as a player, which was a lot, changed the way I played and felt about the game for the better,” Perez remarked. He sees echoes of Bielsa’s philosophy in his current Rayo side, stating, “I see parallels between this team and that team.”
Rayo Vallecano will return to La Liga action before heading to Leipzig for the final on May 27th.
