Overview
- Rayo Vallecano, which won 1-0 Thursday in Madrid, carries a slim lead into next week’s second leg at Stade de la Meinau.
- Alemao settled the first leg with a near-post header from a rehearsed corner early in the second half.
- The match was scrappy and stop-start with nine yellow cards and few clear chances as the referee halted play often.
- Rayo captain Oscar Valentín played on with a fractured cheekbone, the coach said, highlighting a bruising night before the return leg.
- Strasbourg remain dangerous after topping the league phase and overturning Mainz in the quarterfinals, so a one-goal cushion leaves the tie open.