Strasbourg on verge of European final amid fan displeasure at owners BlueCo

TL;DR

Strasbourg is on the brink of reaching its first European final, facing Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League semi-finals. However, fan protests against owner BlueCo highlight discontent over the club's direction and player departures.

Key points

Strasbourg could reach their first European final.
They face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League semi-finals.
Fans are protesting against owner BlueCo's management.
The final is scheduled for May 27 in Leipzig, Germany.
Strasbourg has seen significant investment since BlueCo's takeover.

Mentioned in this story

Gary O'NeilMarc KellerLiam RoseniorEmmanuel Emegha

StrasbourgRayo VallecanoChelseaCrystal Palace

Strasbourg and Chelsea fans protesting together recently in London against BlueCo (Glyn KIRK) (Glyn KIRK/AFP/AFP) Strasbourg could this week reach the first European final in their history, at the end of a turbulent season for the club which belongs to the same BlueCo consortium that owns Chelsea. The team coached by Englishman Gary O'Neil host Rayo Vallecano at their Stade de la Meinau on Thursday in the second leg of their Conference League semi-final, looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first meeting. Neither team has made it to the last four of a European competition before, and the winner will progress to the final in the German city of Leipzig on May 27 against Crystal Palace or Shakhtar Donetsk. Not so long ago, the prospect of lifting a European trophy would have felt like a pipe dream for Strasbourg fans. The club from a city which sits on France's border with Germany and is the seat of the European Parliament, have been French champions just once, in 1979. Before this campaign, their best run in Europe came in 1980, when they lost to Ajax in the European Cup quarter-finals, although there was a memorable win against Liverpool in the UEFA Cup in 1997. But the involvement of BlueCo in all of this is a point of tension for Strasbourg's supporters. "We needed someone to accompany us to get to this step," the club's president Marc Keller, an ex-Strasbourg player, told RMC radio after the team beat German side Mainz in the last round. He pointed out that Strasbourg were languishing in the regional, amateur fourth and fifth tiers of French football 15 years ago, after running into financial difficulties and going into liquidation. They returned to Ligue 1 in 2017 after almost a decade away, and had managed to establish themselves again in the top flight. However, Strasbourg hardly looked like becoming competitors in Europe before BlueCo took over in June 2023, a year after buying Chelsea. "We were conscious that we had gone as far as we could with our existing model," insisted Keller.

Q&A

What is the significance of Strasbourg's upcoming match against Rayo Vallecano?

The match is crucial as it could lead Strasbourg to their first European final in history.

Why are Strasbourg fans protesting against BlueCo?

Fans are upset with BlueCo's ownership due to player departures and concerns about the club becoming a feeder team for Chelsea.

When and where will the European final take place if Strasbourg qualifies?

If Strasbourg qualifies, the final will be held in Leipzig, Germany, on May 27.

What changes have occurred at Strasbourg since BlueCo took over?

Since BlueCo's takeover, significant investments have been made in new players, helping Strasbourg qualify for the Conference League.