Parejo Retains Europa Belief

Captain Dani Parejo insists Valencia can still reach the Europa League final despite Thursday’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.

Los Che made the perfect start to the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, as Mouctar Diakhaby grabbed what could prove to be a crucial away goal after just 11 minutes.

However, Arsenal responded to that early setback with an Alexandre Lacazette brace turning things around before the half-time break.

Valencia would arguably have been happy to take a 2-1 deficit into next week’s second leg and it looked like that was going to the case until a 90th-minute strike from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turned the tie in Arsenal’s favour.

A 2-0 victory during next week’s second leg would still be enough to secure Valencia a place in the final and Parejo insists Los Che believe they can progress. “We do not consider the tie lost today, we have 90 minutes left in the Mestalla and we will leave our souls to be in the final,” Parejo was quoted as saying by Marca.

Related: Emery Keeping Gunners Grounded

Before Valencia can fully turn their attention to next week’s second leg, they must first visit struggling Huesca in La Liga on Sunday.

Marcelino’s side currently sit sixth in the league standings, three points off the Champions League qualifying positions, with just three fixtures left to play.