Valencia defender Ricardo Costa has targeted a top-three finish as the aim for the club as they approach a new campaign.
With Barcelona and Real Madrid not just Spanish heavyweights but also dominant in Europe, challenging their supremacy is becoming increasingly difficult.
But Valencia – who finished third last season – are desperate to put pressure on their rivals and Costa says finishing alongside them is the club’s goal.
“The aim of the team is to make the best position in the table… last year, we were in third place,” Costa said.
“We already know it is so hard to be at the same level of Real Madrid and Barcelona, but we are expected to be a successful team and the footballers and the supporters of Valencia want to be third, for sure, and hopefully get a trophy for Valencia.”
The upcoming season will be the first in charge of the club for Mauricio Pellegrino, who took over from Unai Emery at the end of the last campaign.
And although Pellegrino has only just arrived at the Mestalla, he has made a good first impression on Costa.
“He is a manager who likes to play good football, hold the ball, pressure your opponents when you lose the ball and make a strong team,” he said.
“That is the main thing and Pellegrino has said this. (Unai) Emery was similar but with other characteristics.”
