Racing de Santander vs Valencia preview - Valencia look to build on cup momentum

Pablo Piatti has called for Valencia to back up their Copa del Rey success in the Primera Division when they face lowly Racing Santander on Sunday.

The striker scored twice in Thursday's 3-0 win over Levante to book a semi-final clash against Barcelona, but the Argentinian remains focused on league success.

Valencia are currently third, 14 points behind leaders Real Madrid, while Racing are 16th despite a run of good results under new coach Juanjo Gonzalez.

"The league is very important to us and we must remain consistent," Piatti told www.as.com. "We need a win (against Racing).

"I always said that mentality is a very important factor. I never stopped working and trying, sooner or later results appeared.

"I have a lot to prove in Valencia. It was a good game all round against Levante."

Racing were five games unbeaten under Gonzalez, who replaced Hector Cuper, but that came to an end in the 2-1 home defeat by Getafe last weekend.

The Green and Whites were beaten 4-3 by Valencia in a dramatic clash on the first day of the season when Roberto Soldado struck twice in the final three minutes to complete his hat-trick and snatch a late win for Los Che.

However, after a poor first half of the season, Gonzalez has steered Racing out of the relegation zone with the club securing 11 points from a possible 15, and knows the threat facing his side at El Sardinero.

"Valencia is a great team with great individuals in all parts of the field," Gonzalez told www.as.com. "We have to stop and attack as a group."