Andrei Rațiu's coach promises the Conference League trophy after qualifying for the final

After 1-0 in the round in Spain, Rayo also made it 1-0 in the return leg and will fight for the trophy against those from Crystal Palace, who advanced in the last act after eliminating Shakhtior.

Inigo Perez, who is on the verge of leaving Rayo at the end of this season and is wanted by Villarreal, said Thursday's Conference League semi-final second leg against Strasbourg was his side's “best game” since he has been in charge since February 2024 and assured the team's aim is to bring the trophy home.

Inigo Perez wants to win the Conference League with Ratiu and company before leaving

“I think it's the best match made since I've been lucky enough to coach Rayo, because of the level of offensive, defensive play and the pressure that the stakes of such a match usually generates,” he said, as quoted by marca.com.

The technician admitted that “when you play a good game, create chances and the goal doesn't come, the mind connects to situations where you deserved to win but you were punished”.

“A great team, but no one reaches a final worthless. It is an extraordinary opponent for this final to remain in the memory. It will be nice to play a final against them, but we will talk when the time comes. We want to bring the trophy home”, he concluded, wanting to make history at Rayo before a potential departure to Villarreal, with whom he would play in the Champions League.

Andrei Rațiu received 2 stars in the daily Marca

The Romanian defender started with a providential intervention in his own box, blocking an opponent who was threatening Batalla's goal, to then perfectly cross to Alemao, in the opponent's box, for the first great opportunity of the game.

For his evolution, the Romanian international was noted with two stars in Marca, a good qualification. Also on Thursday, after Rayo's victory, Spain secured their fifth place in the Champions League.