Yéremy Pino reveals how he prepared Crystal Palace for the final against Rayo Vallecano. Ahead of the Conference League final, Yéremy Pino admitted that his teammates knew almost nothing about Rayo Vallecano. The Spaniard personally explained to the team what to expect from their opponent. The final will be a historic event for both clubs.
Ahead of the Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano, an unexpected detail emerged: Spanish midfielder Yéremy Pino admitted that his teammates at the English club were almost unfamiliar with their opponent. According to the player, he had to personally brief the Crystal Palace coaching staff and players about Rayo Vallecano, sharing insights on their playing style and key figures from the Madrid team.
Yéremy Pino, who joined the English club from Villarreal last summer, has reached the final of a European tournament for the first time in his career. This season, he started 26 matches, scoring two goals and providing two assists. In the Conference League, the Spaniard played 12 games, becoming one of the team’s leaders on the way to the decisive match.
Rayo Vallecano, on the other hand, has been the tournament’s biggest revelation. For the first time in its 102-year history, the club has reached the final of a European competition. The team from Vallecas not only retained its place in La Liga but also finished eighth, already an achievement for Íñigo Pérez’s squad. The Conference League final is the last match of the season and a chance for the entire district to make history.
According to Yéremy Pino, his experience playing in La Liga proved valuable for Crystal Palace. During his six years in Spain, he faced Rayo Vallecano multiple times, allowing him to explain in detail to his teammates what to expect from the opponent. The Spaniard noted that the Vallecas side has shown consistent form in recent months and is capable of posing serious problems even for more experienced rivals.
At Rayo Vallecano, it is noted that this success was made possible thanks to the coordinated work of the coaching staff and players. Íñigo Pérez managed to foster a positive atmosphere in the locker room despite occasional conflicts, while the club president and fans from the 'Bukaneros' group supported the team throughout the season. The Vallecas community itself also played an important role, for whom this final is the event of the decade.
Winning the final will open the way for Rayo Vallecano to the Europa League, marking a new chapter for the club and its supporters. As russpain.com notes, such achievements are not uncommon for Spanish teams: Barcelona recently completed their La Liga season without a single home defeat, which was also a historic achievement for Spanish football.
For reference: Rayo Vallecano was founded in 1924 and has spent most of its history outside the elite of Spanish football. Crystal Palace is one of the oldest clubs in England, but before this season had never reached the finals of European competitions. The Conference League final in Leipzig will be a unique opportunity for both teams to make their mark in history.
