Rayo Vallecano supporters have travelled in their numbers to Leipzig to support the team against Crystal Palace in the Conference League final

Rayo Vallecano boss Inigo Perez is relishing a straight shootout with Crystal Palace - because he feels the two clubs share the same principles.

Perez, who is expected to join Villarreal following the conclusion of tonight's showdown, is the youngest Spanish coach (38) to manage in a European final since Pep Guardiola in 2009.

He said: "I think we share some footballing traits with Crystal Palace. The effort, the teamwork and for me, Crystal Palace is a dream opponent.

"Tomorrow's result matters to us. There will be things we're not used to, however, we must maintain our identity and forget about the spotlight."

Rayo president Raul Martin Presa claims the fact the club even reached the final is the "greatest achievement in Spanish sport in the last 50 years."

The Madrid-based outfit, who only sell paper tickets, are an embodiment of their local working-class community.

In February, a number of the club's stars publicly urged the Rayo hierarchy to invest in the team's poor facilities amid an unplayable pitch and cold showers.

Earlier in the season, Lech Poznan also lodged a complaint over poor lighting and basic hygiene in the away dressing room at Vallecas Stadium.

But on a more positive note, Perez's squad is driven by the prospect of capping the adventure of a lifetime.

In recent weeks, numerous Rayo fans were scammed by con-artists claiming to provide a coach service to Leipzig.

70-year-old season ticket holder Enrique and son Raul were among those who lost big money but Rayo players Sergio Camello, Andrei Ratiu and Dani Cardenas all mucked in - donating just shy of £3000 to reimburse supporters.

Perez, who previously assisted Andoni Iraola before work-permit issues prevented him from following the Spaniard to Bournemouth, wants his players to remove the emotion from the occasion.

He concluded: "Tomorrow the players must replicate what they have done so far. As much as we want to talk about epic moments, it's just a football match.

"We will try to give something back to the fans. We prioritise the team over individuals. We were able to train until yesterday, tomorrow I will leave the ball to the players.

"We have a shared responsibility but the path to the trophy belongs mainly to them."

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