Valencia vs Sporting de Gijon preview - Alba focused on league push

Posted Sunday, February 12, 2012 by PA

Jordi Alba has told his Valencia team-mates to put their Copa del Rey disappointment behind them and redouble efforts to qualify for the Champions League.

Valencia lost the second leg of their Copa semi-final 2-0 to Barcelona in midweek, exiting the tournament with a 3-1 aggregate loss.

Despite the frustration of falling at the penultimate hurdle, Alba wants Valencia to think positive as they sit five points clear in third place, with everything in their hands as they pursue automatic qualification for the Champions League.

"We have to think about the league now, as that is the competition that can lead us into the Champions League," he said ahead of Sunday's clash with Sporting Gijon.

Alba, who grew up on the outskirts of Barcelona and began his career in the youth side of the famous club, was quoted during the week as saying he would love to return there, but he has denied that means he wants out of Valencia.

"The comments have been taken out of context and I do not want to be disrespectful to anybody," he said.

"All I meant was that any player would dream of playing for the club he grew up with."

Valencia expect to have Roberto Soldado, who missed the second leg against Barca, back for the match.

The striker had been suffering with flu, but trained in the club's gym on Friday and could be in line for a return this weekend.

Gijon go into the game as decided underdogs as they continue their battle against relegation.

But they can look back on fond memories of the Mestalla, as three years ago they scored a shock 3-2 win over Valencia.

Mate Bilic is turning to those memories for inspiration this weekend.

"We played well and went 2-0 up by hitting them on the counter-attack," he told Marca. "That can serve us again on Sunday."

Bilic does not expect to find any advantage playing against a team who might be tired from their midweek exertions.

"We face a great team," he said. "Although they have lost the chance to play in a cup final, they are used to playing twice in a week and have very good players. But we have no choice but to try to win."