Parejo unphased as Valencia get tough Champions League draw

Valencia midfielder Dani Parejo was optimistic his side can qualify for the group stage of the Champions League after being handed a tough draw in the final qualifying round of the competition.

Valencia have to play French side, Monaco, who most consider to be the most difficult rival the side who finished fourth in Spain's BBVA Primera Liga, could have got, but Parejo was confident that he and his companions would not undo all of last year's good work.

"We have to see all of the work that we did last year reflected in our performance," he said on the club's website.

"We have got a lot at stake, so we have to get the fans to turn up at the Mestalla Stadium and turn it into a pressure cooker of atmosphere. It was last season and we know that if we do well, we will be in the group stage."

Valencia have the disadvantage of playing the first game at home, before the kick off of the Spanish League, but Parejo said he was not worried about the return leg being in France.

"A lof of sides prefer to play the second game at home because it seems to be a help, but it's come out the other way and that's all there is to it," he said.

Finally Parejo said that although Monaco was a difficult rival no matter who Valencia had been drawn to face they would still be "playing the whole season in just two games."

"We have to try and have the initiative and start the tie as well as possible," he concluded. Endi