Rayo Vallecano – Strasbourg

Two prolific teams will clash in Madrid.

In one of the Conference League semifinals, a Franco-Spanish pair of rivals has formed. It would seem that a tournament like this wasn’t meant for clubs of this kind, but to let teams from Norway, Austria, Greece and other not-so-prominent footballing nations make their mark on the European stage. However, looking at the substance, Rayo Vallecano and Strasbourg are not just mid-table in La Liga and Ligue 1 respectively; historically they have not been accustomed to European competition. The Madrid club has qualified for a continental competition for only the second time in 25 years. The last time it earned such a right wasn’t by sporting merit but thanks to the 'fair play' option. Strasbourg in the last 20 years is trying to conquer the European arena for the second time, but in its first attempt the bid for a trophy ended before it began in earnest, eliminated in the Europa League qualifiers. Both clubs quite rightfully reached the semifinals. In the group stage Strasbourg finished first, Rayo Vallecano fifth. By avoiding participation in the playoff qualifying round, Rayo Vallecano beat Samsunspor and AEK, settling all matters in the first legs, while Strasbourg overcame Rijeka and Mainz. Moreover, the French side eliminated the Germans thanks to a home win (4-0) after an away defeat (0-2). Bookmakers have made the home side the favorites for the upcoming match, offering odds of 2.22 on their victory. Rayo Vallecano had an extremely poor first half of the La Liga season, but corrected course in the second. In the last 2.5 months the Madrid club has lost only four of fifteen official matches, but two of those defeats came in the Conference League and did not affect their progress in the playoff bracket. In the previous round of the Spanish championship, Rayo Vallecano came back from a 1-3 deficit against the newly crowned Copa del Rey holders Real Sociedad, scoring the third goal in the 90+9th minute. A similar 'trick' was pulled off by Strasbourg in Ligue 1, beating Lorient, to whom they were down 0-2 at the hour mark. In Madrid, two lively and stubborn teams will meet, each replying to an opponent's goal with one of their own.