Story perspectives

Rayo reaches semi; fans camp, Strasbourg splurges €160M.

5/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Rayo Vallecano reached the Conference League semi-final with a 4-3 aggregate win over AEK Athens, having led 3-0 from the April 9 first leg when captain Isi Palazón scored a penalty.
Fans camped outside Vallecas stadium to buy tickets in person because the club sells no tickets online.
Strasbourg, by BlueCo, invested €160 million renovating Stade de la Meinau, contrasting with Rayo’s ground that has a broken scoreboard and unfinished disabled toilets.

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Story summary

Rayo Vallecano reached the Conference League semi-final with a 4-3 aggregate win over AEK Athens, having led 3-0 from the April 9 first leg when captain Isi Palazón scored a penalty.
Fans camped outside Vallecas stadium to buy tickets in person because the club sells no tickets online.
Strasbourg, by BlueCo, invested €160 million renovating Stade de la Meinau, contrasting with Rayo’s ground that has a broken scoreboard and unfinished disabled toilets.