Valentín Barco out, Guéla Doué a doubt as Strasbourg prepare for Europa Conference League semi-final | OneFootball

RC Strasbourg Alsace may remain without Guéla Doué as they prepare to face Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final on Thursday night.

Doué contracted a virus before the game against Mainz, and whilst he has since returned to first-team training (at the start of the week), he has yet to get back to full fitness. Gary O’Neil has said that no risks will be taken with the Ivory Coast international.  

However, one player certain to miss the game against Rayo Vallecano is Valentin Barco. The Argentine, heavily linked with a summer move to fellow BlueCo side Chelsea, has not played since the return leg against Mainz. In any case, even if Barco had been fit, he is suspended for this tie. 

Le Racing will be desperate to progress to the UECL final. Strasbourg have placed their bets on qualifying for Europe next season in this competition, as well as the Coupe de France. However, they were knocked out by OGC Nice in the latter competition last week. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle