Few people at Crystal Palace will head into the UEFA Conference League Final with quite the same insight into opponents Rayo Vallecano as Under-18s head coach Javier Alonso.
The Spaniard has just overseen a historic season for our young Eagles, guiding the U18s to a first FA Youth Cup semi-final in nearly 30 years alongside a maiden U18 Premier League Cup triumph during an outstanding 2025/26 campaign.
But before arriving in South London, Alonso spent almost a decade coaching within the youth systems of Spanish football, including spells at Atlético Madrid and – crucially ahead of next Wednesday’s final in Leipzig – Rayo Vallecano.
It reminds me a little bit of Palace and South London
—Javier Alonso
Palace take on the Madrid-based side at the Leipzig Arena on Wednesday, 27th May (20:00 BST / 21:00 CEST local time) with European silverware on the line, and Alonso believes the occasion represents something truly historic for the Spanish club.
“They don’t have a lot of history in Europe,” Alonso explained. “They used to go between the second division and La Liga a lot – up and down, up and down – but now they’ve become more consistent in La Liga.
“This is only their second experience in Europe. The first came in 2000/01 after receiving UEFA’s Fair Play award – a run affectionately remembered as ‘Euro Rayo’. For them, being in Europe is huge and being in the final… well, it’s history.”
While Rayo may compete in Spain’s top flight, Alonso insists the club’s identity remains deeply tied to its working-class roots in Vallecas, the district in South East Madrid where the club was founded in 1924.
“It’s not a big club like Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid,” he said. “It’s a small club from a neighbourhood, and the neighbourhood is really important for them because the identity comes from Vallecas.
“The supporters feel really close to the club. The players feel that connection too.
“They are honest people, hard workers. Vallecas is working class. The people there are humble and proud of where they come from.
“It reminds me a little bit of Palace and South London. Palace supporters are proud of where they are from, and Rayo supporters feel exactly the same about Vallecas.”
That connection between club and community has long defined Vallecano’s image within Spanish football, with their compact Estadio de Vallecas widely recognised as one of the country’s loudest and most intense grounds despite its modest size.
According to Alonso, that atmosphere often shapes the team itself.
“The stadium is really loud,” he said. “The players always feel like they have extra energy there. They are hard workers with a lot of rhythm in their legs.
“They play good football too, they are vertical, aggressive and intense. Of course they have talented players as well, but the energy from the stadium gives them something extra.”
It felt like a family
—Javier Alonso
Alonso spent one season coaching within Rayo Vallecano’s academy setup earlier in his career and still speaks warmly about his memories from the club.
“I remember it like a family,” he explained. “The academy and the club are not huge, but all the people were really friendly and really welcoming.
“In Madrid, Real Madrid and Atlético are obviously the biggest academies, but Rayo was always considered the third one there.
“I enjoyed it a lot and I still have really good memories of the club.”
That grounding within Spanish academy football has helped Alonso establish himself in the unforgiving landscape of English Academy football.
Having previously won league titles and youth tournaments during his time with Atlético Madrid’s academy, Alonso arrived at Palace with a reputation for player development and tactical detail – qualities which have been evident throughout the U18s’ impressive campaign.
Now, though, his attention briefly turns back towards his homeland and a club he still knows closely.
For them, being in a final is already huge
—Javier Alonso
Wednesday’s final represents uncharted territory for Rayo.
For Palace supporters, European finals are a new experience too – but Alonso believes the occasion carries enormous significance for the Spanish side given their history.
“I think it’s the best moment in the history of the club,” he said. “I don’t think they’ve ever played in a final like this before.
“It’s a huge, huge occasion for them and everyone connected to the club will be really happy.
“To be honest, I even think for them just reaching the final already feels like a trophy. But of course they want to win.”
Then, with a smile, Alonso offered one final verdict ahead of the biggest match in Palace’s history.
“I think Palace are favourites,” he said. “But it will be a really good competitive game of football.”
Crystal Palace v Rayo Vallecano