Valencia vs Bursaspor preview - Los Che close in on qualification - 7M sport

Valencia vs Bursaspor preview - Los Che close in on qualification



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Posted Wednesday, November 24, 2010 by PA

Valencia defender Ricardo Costa has called on his side`s fans to play their part against Bursaspor as Los Che go in search of a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Valencia are currently second in Group C heading into the penultimate round of fixtures, three points behind leaders Manchester United and two ahead of third-placed Rangers - with the two British teams meeting at Ibrox.

That means that if results go their way at both grounds, the Spaniards can celebrate booking their spot in the next round come full-time, and Costa hopes Valencia`s supporters can do their bit at the Mestalla.

"We hope the stadium is full and that they help us to win this game from the first minute. It`s a very important match for Valencia and I hope that the fans are with us," said Costa.

"It will be a gala night for Valencia, the team needs help and when you play at home you need the fans."

Valencia's 21-year-old midfielder Jordi Alba added: "I haven`t experienced a great European night at the Mestalla and I`d like to do it. Against Manchester United, maybe because it was the day of the strike (in Spain), and then against Rangers there wasn`t this atmosphere."

Costa also stressed the importance of netting an early goal as Unai Emery`s side look to do the double over a Bursaspor outfit that are rock-bottom of the Group C table and yet to pick up a point from their four matches.

Costa scored after just 16 minutes of the first meeting between the two in Turkey and Valencia went on to win the match 4-0.

"We have to win and we have to do everything to achieve it. We need to put them under pressure to score quickly. If we don`t score quickly then they could think they can score themselves," the Portugal international said.

"The Turkish team are good, but they haven`t achieved a win or even a goal yet. We need to have respect but we need to score early to control the game."

Depending on results tomorrow, it could be that Valencia will have a showdown with United at Old Trafford in the final round of fixtures to see which side will win the group.

For Bursaspor the situation is simple - they are already out of contention to finish in the top two and need to win both of their final two matches against Valencia and Rangers, and for United to avoid defeat at Ibrox tomorrow, to have a chance of pipping the Scottish side to third spot and a place in the Europa League.

It is not looking good for Ertugrul Saglam's side, though, as they have won just twice in their last 11 competitive games.

However, they did beat Manisaspor 2-0 away from home in the league at the weekend, leaving them second in the standings and two points behind leaders Trabzonspor.

Valencia are fifth in the Primera Division table following their 1-1 draw with local rivals Villarreal on Saturday.



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