Madrid, April 8 -- Rayo Vallecano has a chance to make European history on Thursday when it hosts AEK Athens in the first leg of its UEFA Conference League quarterfinal.
The tie gives Rayo a chance to reach a European semifinal for the first time after playing in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup in the 2000-2001 season, when it lost to Deportivo Alaves.
The side from the working-class Madrid neighborhood of Vallecas goes into the game after takinga big step toward La Liga survival with a 1-0 home win over Elche on Friday, and coach Inigo Perez will have virtually his full squad available, with the exception of wingers Fran Perez andIlias Akhomach, who have slight physical problems.
AEK Athens will provide a difficult test, with the Gree...