Inigo Perez urges Rayo Vallecano to carry Vallecas into Conference League final against Crystal Palace

Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez has urged his squad to represent Vallecas and its supporters as the club prepares to face Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League final at the Leipzig Arena on Wednesday at 21:00 CEST. The Spanish side arrived in Germany on Monday night and held a training session at the venue on Tuesday evening.

Perez was clear that identity, not tactics or pressure, would be the foundation of his team’s approach. “There will be things we aren’t used to. We have to tune out the spotlight and accept whatever comes our way. We must maintain our identity – and ensure it’s enough to get us the win,” he said.

The manager deliberately avoided placing a burden of expectation on his players, instead asking them to replicate the form that carried them to the final. “I never like to talk about ‘We have to win.’ I can’t say that to the players. Hopefully they replicate what brought them this far and not change their routines – that will generate calm and security.”

On the significance of representing their neighbourhood, Perez was emphatic. “Beyond the comparisons attached to the sport – which have nothing to do with the game itself – we must represent Vallecas and our fans. If we do that, and keep our fire alive, we will be on the right track. We cannot control the result, but we can control everything else.”

The final represents the largest travelling support Rayo have ever taken to a match, while queues formed around their stadium in Vallecas for fans seeking entry to watch on a big screen. Perez acknowledged the weight of that backing. “You feel an emotional debt and a tremendous sense of responsibility – not for the result itself, but to ensure that whatever you do makes them feel proud.”

Asked about Crystal Palace, Perez identified shared characteristics between the two clubs despite their structural differences. “We share traits and have a similar way of understanding sacrifice. The structures tactically are different, but we prioritise the collective. When you pit those forces against one another, you know the impact will be significant.”

On a personal level, Perez admitted the build-up had weighed on him more heavily than on his players. “I feel a sense of pressure to ensure that they receive the information clearly. Until yesterday, I was consumed by it. Now, it is up to them.”

Midfielder Oscar Trejo offered a more relaxed perspective on the occasion, describing the squad’s bond ahead of kick-off: “Tomorrow a group of friends will play.”