Rayo Vallecano vs Strasbourg Conference League semi-final preview: Where to watch, predicted line-ups, team news

Strasbourg are set to travel to Rayo Vallecano for the first leg of their UEFA Conference League semi-final tie.

Where to watch the game on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Conference League broadcast partner(s) here.

What you need to know?

In their first continental campaign, back in 2000/01, Rayo Vallecano made it to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup, losing out to Spanish rivals Alavés. Some 25 years on, their second European campaign is going even better, with Strasbourg standing between the team from the Madrid suburbs and the final of the Conference League.

They have lost only one of their 12 UEFA competition games at the Estadio de Vallecas (1-0 against Samsunspor in this season's round of 16), and scuffed through to the semi-finals despite seeing a 3-0 first-leg advantage evaporate at AEK Athens, on the same night that Strasbourg countered a 2-0 away defeat to Mainz with a 4-0 home win.

Also in their first European semi-final, the French side continue to thrive despite losing coach Liam Rosenior to Chelsea, fellow Englishman Gary O'Neil now in command of a side who topped the league phase ladder and looked imperious in attack in the second leg against Mainz.

Possible line-ups

Rayo Vallecano: Batalla; Rațiu, Lejeune, Ciss, Pep Chavarría; Oscar Valentin, Unai Lopez, Isi Palazón, Akhomach, De Frutos; Alemão

Strasbourg: Penders; Doué, Doukoure, Omobamidele, Chilwell; Oyedele, El Mourabet; Moreira, Enciso, Godo; Emegha

Form guide

Rayo Vallecano

Form: DWLLWW (most recent game first)
Latest: Rayo 3-3 Real Sociedad, 26/04, Spanish Liga

Strasbourg

Form: WLLWLW (most recent game first)
Latest: Lorient 2-3 Strasbourg, 26/04, French Ligue 1

Views from the camps

Iñigo Pérez, Rayo Vallecano coach: "It's going to be a highly competitive match between two teams that want to reach the final. They are younger, we have more experience. Reaching the final would be historic."

Sergio Camello, Rayo Vallecano forward: "This is my first semi-final and the feeling is great, because it's something we've been fighting to achieve for a long time. We would never have imagined it."

Gary O'Neil, Strasbourg coach: "Rayo Vallecano, I know them well. I know the coach well. It's going to be tough, but we will fight to try and put something on the record books this year for the club. And I'm enjoying it. I'm not scared of failing. Let's see what we can do.”

Ben Chilwell, Strasbourg defender: "It's credit to the manager, it's credit to the players, credit to all the staff that we are in the position we're in. But, of course, it's not over. I've been fortunate enough to win a trophy [the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea] so I know that we're still a long way away, and we have to keep working."

Reporter's view

Gonzalo Aguado, match reporter
In just their second season in Europe, Rayo Vallecano are aiming to reach the Conference League final. But to do so, they will have to eliminate a Strasbourg side brimming with youth and power. Moreover, they’ll have to cope without their top scorer in this season’s competition, Álvaro García, who is injured and also doubtful for the second leg. Estadio de Vallecas is gearing up for a historic night in which Rayo will seek to "continue creating unforgettable moments," as coach Iñigo Pérez noted.