Valencia vs Getafe preview - Piatti eyes Champions League push

Winger Pablo Piatti insists Valencia still have their sights on hunting down third place in the Primera Divisoin as they prepare for Sunday's home match against Getafe.

Valencia go into the next round of fixtures some six points behind current occupants Atletico Mardid, who may well have their own radar on top spot after they thumped leaders Real Madrid 4-0 in last weekend's derby at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

After responding to the 1-0 away defeat at Malaga with victory over Espanyol last week, Piatti believes Nuno Espirito Santo's team are ready to mount a sustained challenge for the final Champions League place.

"The aim for the team now is to keep on going as we have been, then aspire to fight for third place in La Liga," Piatti said at a press conference.

Piatti was on target against Espanyol at Cornella Stadium, and having been out of the regular side earlier in the campaign the 25-year-old Argentinian is relishing his opportunities.

"I went through a difficult situation at the club, I learnt from it and grew as a player and a person," he said.

"It was useful for me to make a change in how I approach things and look at football. Now I enjoy things with a lot of responsibility.

"Now I am feeling good and am motivated to help the team."

Piatti added: "I am happy here, I know the club and I know the city, so I would be delighted to stay on.

"But there is plenty of time for this. We still need to sit down and talk."

As part of their preparations for Sunday's game, Valencia hosted Russian Premier League side Zenit St Petersburg in a behind-closed-doors friendly in midweek.

Algerian midfielder Sofiane Feghouli played in that game, having missed training with an infected foot, and could feature again on Sunday.

Getafe, meanwhile, will be looking to kick on after their 2-1 win over Sevilla last week put some distance between them and the La Liga drop zone.

Manager Quique Sanchez Flores hopes his side can maintain that work-rate to stay clear of trouble.

"When we are as competitive as we were against Sevilla, we can win," he said.

"We want it to be a more of a regular dynamic to the team, so we can enjoy our football a little more."

"They are good guys, all committed. In every game, with the right approach, we can do something."