Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez has sent a clear message to his squad ahead of their crucial Conference League semi-final second leg against RC Strasbourg: no fear allowed. Holding a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg—courtesy of a goal from Alemao—Perez knows his side cannot afford to sit back and protect their lead against a dangerous Strasbourg side.
The French outfit arrives with some injury concerns. Striker Emanuel Emegha, who started the first leg, has missed training and is a doubt for the match. However, midfielder Valentin Barco and right-back Guela Doue are expected to be fit. On the Rayo side, star winger Alvaro Garcia remains a late fitness test as he recovers from a muscle injury. Perez urged his team to treat the match like any other, rather than letting the high stakes get to them.
"There shouldn't be any difference. It's worse to go into a match thinking it's a fresh start," Perez told Diario AS. "We're winning 1-0, they've just come from behind, and we've just had someone come back against us (AEK Athens). We're going to try to win it, and when the referee blows the final whistle, hopefully we can celebrate."
The message from the dressing room is one of continuity and belief. "The message is that we should keep going. There's been a game and a few days in between, but we have to make the effort. I hope people don't allow themselves a single second of fear, that they enjoy it because they deserve it," Perez added.
While the fans are dreaming of a trip to Leipzig for the final, Perez is keeping his feet on the ground. "I never like to promise something I can't deliver. I can't promise we'll be in Leipzig. But we can promise to stay true to the process that's brought us here. We must stay true to it. There's not much more to say. The excitement is building. Tomorrow I'd tell them to enjoy themselves and not be afraid of what might happen."
Reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster of the first leg, Perez admitted the buildup was intense. "I had a lump in my throat. The lead-up to the match is always very emotional; I suffered more the other day. I'm going to like seeing the fans," he said. With everything on the line, Rayo Vallecano will need to channel that emotion into a fearless performance to book their place in the final.