Rayo Vallecano will take a one-goal advantage into the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final after a narrow 1-0 win over Strasbourg at the Estadio de Vallecas on Thursday.
In a cagey affair, a looping header from Brazilian forward Alemao nine minutes into the second half was enough to hand the La Liga side a slender lead for next week’s return leg in France.
A first half lacking quality saw neither side register a shot on target as Strasbourg dominated possession. But Rayo Vallecano, appearing at this stage of a European competition for the first time, came out quickly at the start of the second half.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when Alemao met Isi Palazon’s corner at the near post to score his third European goal of the season. From there, the hosts took control, with Strasbourg, managed by Englishman Gary O’Neil, unable to regain their early momentum.
Former Newcastle United defender Florian Lejeune thought he had doubled the lead less than 10 minutes later, only for goalkeeper Mike Penders to claw his header off the line. Palazon and Unai Lopez also tried their luck from distance in the closing stages as Rayo Vallecano pushed for a second goal.
The second leg will take place at the Stade de la Meinau next Thursday, with the winner facing either Crystal Palace or Shakhtar Donetsk in next month’s final in Germany.
