- Match: UEFA Conference League final
- Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
- Venue: Leipzig Stadium, Germany
- Stakes: Qualification for next season’s Europa League
After Crystal Palace’s 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk last night the South London faithful can finally start booking their flights to Leipzig, Germany. A superb 5-2 aggregate win against the Ukrainians has secured the Eagles a UEFA Conference League final.
Oliver Glasner’s men will face a team with a similar underdog spirit: Rayo Vallecano. The Spanish outfit advanced to the final with a 2-0 aggregate win over Strasbourg in their semi-final.
So, who are the La Liga outfit that the Eagles must prevail over in Germany? Here is the lowdown on the team standing in Glasner’s way of a fairytale ending.
Rayo Vallecano – The People’s Club
Rayo Vallecano is a club that isn’t used to being in the spotlight, not least because their neighbours are Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. But “Los Franjirrojos” (The Red Sashes) are presented as the “people’s club.”
Rayo is a club embedded in anti-establishment culture. They are passionate and quite possibly the Spanish Palace.
Manager: Inigo Perez
There are several highly-admired young European football coaches in the game and Inigo Perez is one of them. The Spanish tactician is just 38 and he took inspiration from the legendary Marcelo Bielsa, formerly of Leeds United.
That explains his aggressive playing style and the energetic team that put in a massive effort against any opposition. Their hard work resulted in the win over Strasbourg and they will be tricky opposition in Leipzig.
Rayo’s Key Men
Palace are used to coming up against some of the best talent in world football each time they are in Premier League action. But La Liga also possesses some top-quality players, and Rayo have three who could be tough to handle.
Isi Palazon is Rayo’s creative machine, a versatile winger whose left foot can cause all sorts of problems. He’s bagged seven goals and as many assists in 49 games across competitions this season.
Augusto Batalla is enjoying a superb season between the sticks and could be a nuisance due to his fearless mentality. An Argentine sweeper keeper, he’s kept 17 clean sheets in 45 games across competitions.
Florian Lejeune is Rayo’s familiar face, certainly for English football fans. The Frenchman plyed his trade at Newcastle United many moons ago but is now a veteran at the Estadio de Vallecas.
Can Crystal Palace Beat Rayo?
The short answer is yes and Palace will head to Leipzig as slight favourites to win the final. But the Spaniards are dangerous opposition, just ask Diego Simeone, whose Atleti side lost 3-0 to them earlier this season.
If Glasner’s men are at their best and put in a performance similar to the 3-0 win against Fiorentina and the home-and-away victories against Shakhtar, they should be too strong.
