Madrid, Jan 23: Valencia have swept aside the importance of their 3-0 Spanish Cup defeat to Real Madrid in midweek to affirm they are now the main challengers to the reigning Spanish League champions.
"We have taken over from barcelona as the main rivals of Madrid, stepping into the vacuum Barca have left behind," Valencia president Jaime Orti declared earlier this week.
"We are on a par with real. Valencia have won, and deserve the respect of everybody, not just Madrid," he added.
Orti's affirmation may be bold - but it comes as no surprise. Valencia, the champions in 2002, lead Real by one point in the League table and will be out to boost their title hopes by beating Osasuna at home on Sunday.
Valencia have won their last four games at their Mestalla Stadium and are unbeaten in nine outings - while the Pamplona-based side have only won once in 24 visits to Valencia, and that was 12 seasons ago.



"The players will want to show in the best way possible that the defeat in Madrid was not a reflection of their true abilities," Valencia coach Rafa Benitez suggested yesterday.



Benitez will be without Spanish international midfielder Ruben Baraja, suspended, and Mohamed Sissolo, who is on African Nations Cup duty for Mali, leaving Valencia short of a midfield playmaker.



In order to fill this particular vacuum, Benitez is expected to ask Pablo Aimar to play deeper than usual, leaving his options open as to who will accompany Mista Ferrer up front.


Bureau Report