After PSG’s qualification for the Champions League (C1), Strasbourg aims to also reach a European final in the Conference League. On Thursday, May 7, 2026, Racing will host Rayo Vallecano, against whom they lost 1-0 in the first leg.
Will French football relive the 2004 glory when two clubs reached a European final? Just a day after PSG secured their spot in the Champions League, Strasbourg seeks a similar feat in the Conference League against Rayo Vallecano on Thursday.
In the previous round, Alsace suffered a 2-0 defeat against Mainz before rallying to a 4-0 victory at home. Although the margin is narrower heading into the return leg against Rayo Vallecano, the mission remains clear: to turn the tide and advance.
Last week in Spain, the Liga representative claimed a 1-0 victory in a match where Strasbourg struggled to pose a threat.
This competition represents Racing’s last chance to qualify for a European competition next year. Ranked 8th in Ligue 1, Strasbourg missed a chance to climb to 6th place after a weekend defeat to Toulouse. The 7th position could still secure qualification, depending on Lens winning the French Cup.
The winner of the Conference League secures a direct spot in the group stage of the Europa League. By potentially winning against Rayo, Racing could embark on a new continental journey after 1995’s Intertoto Cup victory.
In 2004, French football experienced mixed fortunes in European finals. Monaco fell to FC Porto in the Champions League, while Marseille lost to Valencia in the UEFA Cup.
Paris, after eliminating Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, will face Arsenal on May 30 in Budapest for a chance at the double. Strasbourg could meet the winner of Shakhtar Donetsk and Crystal Palace in the final, with the English side currently leading 3-1.
To watch the match between Strasbourg and Rayo Vallecano, tune in to Canal + at 9:00 PM on Thursday.
