Rayo Vallecano’s Inigo Perez on Strasbourg tie – ‘There’s a social aspect that sets us apart’
Rayo Vallecano’s Inigo Perez on Strasbourg tie – ‘There’s a social aspect that sets us apart’ Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez has declared that his side must stop dreaming about the Conference League, because their semi-final with Strasbourg is a reality. Perez was clear that it was one of the biggest games in the club’s history, but was confident his side were ready for the challenge. He confirmed that Luiz Felipe and Alvaro Garcia would miss the clash through injury , but that goalkeeper Augusto Batalla was in good shape to play.
He also declined to opine on the hefty ban handed to Isi Palazon . Before their home leg against AEK Athens in the quarter-finals, Perez joked that it would be good to win 3-0, and was asked if he had a prediction for this game. “I’m not sure what the result will be (laughs).
We had to take advantage of playing the first leg at home; if they let you strike first, you have to capitalise on it. In the quarterfinals, we suffered a heavy blow from them, but tomorrow the mentality has to be the same. They’ve also learned from their experience; they struggled in Mainz.
All of us who will be playing in the semifinals have experienced something similar. ” ‘We’re not nervous, we’re comfortable in Vallecas’ Being such a large occasion, it would be no surprise if there were nerves, given for much of the Rayo squad, it is their first European experience. Nevertheless, Perez had little concern over that.
“I’m not nervous. We’ve been training together, there’s no reason to be nervous. Maybe a little fear, but it’s a positive thing.
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