The Rayo Vallecano, a football team from Spain, is on the path to winning its first international title in history. This Wednesday (27/5), the team will face Crystal Palace in the Conference League final. Although it’s a challenging final, Rayo Vallecano has everything to conquer this unprecedented achievement. With a well-assembled team and the help of Brazilian striker Alexandre Zurawski, known as Alemão, the Madrid team can make this dream come true and write an important page in the club’s history.
Alexandre Zurawski was one of the highlights of the team throughout the season. The Brazilian striker, who was revealed by Metropolitano and had stints with teams like Kyoto Sanga in Japan and Internacional in Brazil, arrived at Rayo Vallecano in September and quickly gained space in Los Franjirrojos. He was the main responsible for putting the team in the Conference League final by scoring four crucial goals for the feat. In the round of 16, Zurawski scored two in the 3-2 win (aggregate score) against Samsuspor from Turkey. In the semifinals, the Madrid team won 2-0 (aggregate score) against Strasbourg, with two goals scored by the Brazilian.
Winning the title can be Rayo Vallecano’s first continental title in history, but the mission won’t be easy. Crystal Palace, Wednesday’s (27/5) opponent, has the competition’s top scorer, Ismaila Sarr, and carries the strength of English football. The club finished the Premier League in 15th place but arrives on a high after recent conquests in national cups. In 2025, it was the champion of the English Cup, against Manchester City, and the English Super Cup, against Liverpool. The game promises to be intense and exciting, with both teams having chances to win.
Rayo Vallecano will need a solid and intense performance to win the Conference League title. With the help of Zurawski and the good form of its team, the Madrid team has all the conditions to achieve this conquest. The dispute will be fierce, and both teams will need a lot of effort to come out with the victory. After all, Crystal Palace players are not just any team, and Rayo Vallecano’s team will need to prepare well to face English football, with all its peculiarities.
