We will have to ignite Meinau with a shower of goals like during the 4-0 against Mainz in the previous round. RC Strasbourg was beaten 1-0 by Rayo Vallecano on Thursday in Madrid in the semi-final first leg of the Conference League. The situation is clear before the second round in Alsace in a week. Strasbourg will have to perform much better in the game to reach the final on May 27 in Leipzig.
Faced with the Madrilenians who tried to make a difference with the ball at their feet, the Strasbourgers held on well in the first period but conceded Rayo’s opening score from a corner. Isi Palazon’s center was taken by Brazilian striker Alemao, from the back of the neck, and Mike Penders was beaten (54th). The young Belgian goalkeeper then made several saves to keep the score at 1-0.
Racing was non-existent offensively, with Julio Enciso much less energetic than usual and Emmanuel Emegha not very successful in his ball handling. Diego Moreira can’t do everything alone in his lane and Valentin Bacro was suspended… Sebastien Nanasi only came on in the 85th minute. Gary O’Neil’s team finished the match with five shots and none on target!
Crystal Palace in a good position
In the other Conference semi-final, Crystal Palace took a 3-1 advantage against Shakhtar Donetsk in Krakow. Ismaïla Sarr opened the scoring in the 21st second of the game! After Jean-Philippe Mateta, it is Maxence Lacroix who was the decisive passer on the second London goal signed Daichi Kamada (58th). Jorgen Strand Larsen gave a two-goal advantage at the end of the match (84th).
The suspense is total in the last four of the Europa League as well, since Braga snatched a 2-1 victory against Freiburg, while Nottingham Forest beat Aston Villa 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Chris Wood.
