The man with the megaphone said it in the moments before a magical night: “Forget all your problems for these ninety minutes. Let’s enjoy”. And Rayo had a great time. Vallecas left behind old bills, today’s miseries and deficiencies that will still be there tomorrow. Team and fans decided to enjoy those 90 minutes. As the one with the megaphone, who was none other than the team captain, said, Oscar Valentinat street level with the rest of the squad with their fans. Unpublished image from another era. Pure football. The one that no longer remains.
Given that, Strasbourg could do nothing, surely a better team in terms of project, investment, players and who knows how many other things. It fell by the minimum with a goal from Alemaoanother one in the Conference, which is already part of the club’s history. An institution that remains standing despite the multitude of cracks that accompany it in its daily life. He closes them with an unbreakable spirit that allows him to dream, with 90 minutes left in France, of an entire European final. Miraculous.
An impressive rival
The challenge, foreseeable at this point in the competition, was extremely demanding. The physical exuberance of this Strasbourg It is difficult to equate. The duels seemed, beforehand, lost. In the collision, in the speed or in the second plays, Rayo was not going to win the battle.
Furthermore, the French confirmed that they have a handful of good player projects who will end up, if nothing prevents it, at Stamford Bridge. Goth and Enciso They are two good examples of this. Every throw-in ball to the Ivorian was a headache for Ratiu. The Rayo winger saved a difficult night with flying colors. Each appearance of the Paraguayan between the lines sensed danger for the goal of Battle. Iñigo’s men, therefore, needed to carry out the war in another direction. Intense pressure and vertical play were not enough. Other times so effective. Against the French we also had to temper and chew the play.
In those frustrated attempts by Rayo, who barely caused any concern with a forced header from German or a shot in the front of Iliasand in the unfinished transitions of Strasbourg the first act was consumed. Of course, the feeling was that a small misalignment of Iñigo’s could be lethal.
Strasbourg should have kept ten
At the beginning of the second half the controversial action came. Ilias faced the front and the demolition of El Mourabet It was clear. The play was for a second yellow but Lithuanian Rumsas decided to look the other way. Curiously, in the subsequent corner after Unai López’s shot in that foul against the barrier came Rayo’s goal.
The Alemao moment returned to Vallecas. With a pure nine header, correcting the jump and performing an unnatural head turn. And the neighborhood shook. The stands moved and the south of Madrid began the party. And that rocky team, with enormous quality shoots and an intimidating physique, disappeared from the Vallecas grass. Rayo grew and more were able to reach. Because, after that goal, there was only one team on the field.
Pendersanother of those who has half a suitcase packed heading to Stamford Bridge, took out a prodigious hand to avoid Lejeune’s header. He announced shortly after Ilias and the appearances of Iñigo’s men in the final third of the field became a constant.
And more could come…
Rayo could have found a greater advantage in a stomp as clear as it was involuntary by Penders about Of fruits. One of those that modern football embraces, one of the same ones that Camello would reject. Even in that, Rayo’s victory was unblemished. Away from new currents and refereeing trends.
Iñigo’s team had another one, in a new header from Lejeunethis one more focused, which the Strasbourg goalkeeper once again resolved with solvency. The victory fell short, mainly due to an excellent second half by those from the fringe. But equally valuable so that the dream remains valid. More than ever. From a humble neighborhood in Madrid to the whole world. From Vallecas to Leipzig, with a previous stop in Strasbourg. A dream that, with each passing day, seems more real.
