“There is no greater victory than with you in a defeat.” As soon as Crystal Palace’s triumph in the Conference League final was confirmed, that message appeared in the stands occupied by Rayo fans. The Vallecano team, tied up and trailing, was left speechless and all the tears were in Leipzig. Opportunist Mateta’s goal was a stab to the aspirations of the Madrid neighborhood. They made one mistake and paid for it.
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Crystal Palace blurred Iñigo’s Rayo on the field to make them cry afterwards. The Londoners, thanks to their physical potential, were more solid and crushed their rival’s hope. Isi, Batalla, or Ratiu could not hold back the tears for not being able to complete the mission. The feat lacked one goal.
More solid
The Londoners, very physical, blurred the virtues of Iñigo Pérez’s team, who lacked one goal to seal the feat
Rayo is not a typical team. It is not because it prides itself on coming from the margins, being from a working-class neighborhood, and fighting with its own weapons against the powerful. Far from hiding it, this was seen in the fans, who lived the moments before as a celebration. “Vallecanos, junkies, and gypsies,” read a scarf. “Beautiful, smart, and Rayo supporter,” said another cloth in the Leipzig stadium stands, where republican flags coexisted with some camel costume. There was no pressure.
Crystal Palace also had a point of vindication since they could not play in the Europa League because UEFA prevented it and sent them to the Conference for not being able to prove they were not under the same ownership as Olympique Lyonnais. They lifted the title to win what had been denied to them at the start of the season.
English vindication
Palace lifted the title to win on the field what had been denied to them in the offices at the start of the season
The English, despite having much more investment, started playing a more archaic football by hanging Colombian Muñoz’s throw-ins into the area. There was also a big fight for position around Batalla on corners. But Iñigo Pérez had studied those scrums caused by Glasner’s team.
As the minutes passed, it was seen that Mateta and Yeremy Pino did more damage to Rayo’s defense than Alemão and Álvaro García did to Crystal Palace’s three center-backs, with former Blaugrana Chadi Riad as a starter. In fact, the English protested a possible red card to Ciss for stopping the Canarian winger’s advance as the last defender. However, the referee was clear that only a yellow card was deserved.
Rayo began to shake off the initial pressure and could play with more calm. Increasingly settled, they began to find their most important players, such as Isi, De Frutos, and Unai López, who almost scored the 0-1. His shot grazed Henderson’s post.
When everyone was already thinking about halftime, Palace had the best chance. Wharton, their organizer, raised the periscope and saw Mitchell’s run. The full-back had gotten behind De Frutos but his header was deflected despite having everything in his favor.
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With heads held high
Rayo is left with the same face as Betis last season and previously Alavés, Mallorca, Athletic, or Espanyol
The scare had not yet passed when, after coming out of halftime, the blow to Rayo’s heart arrived. Wharton was able to advance to a good position to shoot. He took a dry shot and Batalla did not dare to catch it, put up his fists to clear but the ball stayed dead in the small area. The giant Mateta, who will play the World Cup with France, only had to extend his left leg to score with the goalkeeper still on the ground.
There the Vallecanos really suffered the sting of being behind on the scoreboard. From a direct free kick, Yeremy Pino, another World Cup player with Spain, placed a great curl. And Rayo was saved thanks to the two posts, as the ball went from the right wood to the left but did not go in. The London team was growing and in another run by Yeremy, Mateta could have made the second but Batalla deflected just enough with his foot.
No one doubted that Rayo would react because they are full of pride. They tried but with more heart than head. Neither De Frutos (off target) nor Camello (high) could equalize. The last chance was for Alemão already in the 95th minute, when there was no more time. Rayo is left with the same face as Betis last season and previously Alavés, Mallorca, Athletic, or Espanyol. They fall with their heads held high in a campaign that will be remembered.
Match details
Crystal Palace, 1 – Rayo Vallecano, 0
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Canvot, Lacroix, Chadi Riad, Daniel Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Yeremy Pino (Guessand 80) and Mateta (Larsen 76)
Coach: Oliver Glasner
Rayo: Batalla, Ratiu, Pathé Ciss, Lejeune, Chavarría, Óscar Valentín (Mendy 63), Unai López (Pedro Díaz 62), De Frutos (Pacha Espino 70), Isi (Akhomach 77), Álvaro García (Camello 70) and Alemão
Coach: Iñigo Pérez
Stadium: Red Bull Arena (Leipzig). About 45,000 spectators.
Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy).
Cards: Yellow cards for Ciss, Isi, Wharton, Unai López, Álvaro García, Yeremy Pino, Chadi Riad, Mendy, and Pacha Espino
Goal: 1-0 Mateta (51)
