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

Rayo Vallecano are set to travel to Strasbourg for the second 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?

Strasbourg have been in worse situations than this in recent weeks and ended up celebrating at full-time. In the quarter-finals, they lost 2-0 at Mainz but roared through to the semis with a 4-0 home victory. Overturning a 1-0 deficit against Rayo is an easier task on paper, and although Gary O'Neil's injury-hit squad were on the back foot for much of the first leg, they will be more aggressive at home. They are unbeaten at the Stade de la Meinau in this season's Conference League (W3 D3), but a draw is no good to them here.

Rayo have not played a competitive game in France since they beat Bordeaux 2-1 on the way to the 2000/01 UEFA Cup quarter-finals, but home form has been the backbone of their campaign, and in the quarter-finals, they surrendered a 3-0 first-leg lead against AEK Athens before captain Isi Palazón's 60th-minute finish took them through on aggregate. Iñigo Pérez's side know they need to be more resilient to make it to a first-ever final.

Possible line-ups

Strasbourg: Penders; Doué, Omobamidele, Doukoure, Chilwell; Barco, El Mourabet; Moreira, Nanasi, Godo; Enciso

Rayo Vallecano: Batalla; Rațiu, Lejeune, Ciss, Pep Chavarría; López, Óscar Valentin; De Frutos, Isi Palazón, Akhomach; Alemão

Form guide

Strasbourg

Form: LLWLLW (most recent game first)
Latest: Strasbourg 1-2 Toulouse, 03/05, French Ligue 1

Rayo Vallecano

Form: WWDWLL (most recent game first)
Latest: Getafe 0-2 Rayo, 03/05, Spanish Liga

Views from the camps

Gary O'Neil, Strasbourg coach: "The reason I’m so excited [about the match] is firstly because we can make history. Secondly, because I have an incredible team. And thirdly, because we have the chance to do it in front of these fans who, since I’ve been here, have been incredible to me. If the match goes well, support the players, and if the match is difficult for us too, because it will be at times. Vallecano are a good team, and we will have difficult moments in the match."

Mike Penders, Strasbourg goalkeeper: "We can write history for the club. With the team we have now, I can have a lot of confidence. As a goalkeeper I am very involved, especially in ball possession. If you can trust your team-mates, that makes you feel calm."

Iñigo Pérez, Rayo coach: "I can’t promise we’ll be in Leipzig, but I can promise to stay true to the process that got us here. The players believe. It’s a tough match against an extraordinary opponent."

Alfonso Espino, Rayo defender: "They [Strasbourg] have a very defined style of play and they 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.”

Jorge de Frutos, Rayo forward: "[The first-leg win] doesn't guarantee our qualification; we know we’ve got a really tough match ahead of us in France – they’re very strong at home."

Reporter's view

Phil Robertson, match reporter
Rayo have the advantage heading to France after Alemão’s goal gave them a 1-0 win in the first leg. However, they will be wary of a Strasbourg side who lost 2-0 away to Mainz in their quarter-final first leg before producing a memorable comeback to win 4-0 in the return. The prospect of a first-ever European final is tantalising for both sides.

Strasbourg coach Gary O'Neil made seven changes to his team at the weekend as they lost 2-1 at home to Toulouse in Ligue 1, resting several key players. Íñigo Pérez also changed up much of his Rayo line-up, but they won 2-0 at Getafe in La Liga, setting them up for this season-defining contest.