‘Not everyone had the same desire’ – Diego Moreira critical of teammates as Strasbourg exit Europa Conference League | OneFootball

Diego Moreira did not hold back in his criticism as RC Strasbourg Alsace timidly exited the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday night. 

Rayo Vallecano held a one-goal lead going into Thursday night’s game at the Meinau, and the Spanish side doubled their advantage at the end of the first half. There was no reaction from Strasbourg, who, bar their missed penalty in the dying minutes, only got one other shot on target across the two legs. It is a disappointing end to the season for Les Alsaciens, who put everything on the cup competitions.

They gave up on qualifying for Europe next season via their league position several weeks ago, with Gary O’Neil assuming that decision. However, Le Racing crashed out of the Coupe de France at the semi-final stage, losing to OGC Nice (0-2), and they are now out of the UECL. The risk has not paid off.

“We are disappointed, sad. We were better in the second half, but we lacked efficiency and togetherness,” Diego Moreira told Canal Plus post-match. “[Rayo Vallecano] deserved it. They wanted it more than us during the first leg, and during the first half tonight. We should have fought a lot more, given more, showed that we wanted it more. Not everyone had the same desire. We spoke about it in the dressing room at half-time; as a collective, we didn’t turn up. We struggled to combine.”

Strasbourg must win all of their next three Ligue 1 games and hope that Olympique de Marseille lose their last two if they are to qualify for any form of European football for next season.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle