Roberto Soldado was delighted for Valencia’s win against Atletico Madrid, citing its importance in the race for Champions League football.
Second placed Atleti fell 2-0 to Los Che, who now currently sit in seventh position, four points away from the top four.
Having achieved Champions League qualification in each of the past three seasons, Valencia’s win was important, says Soldado, who opened the scoring.
“The Champions League positions had slipped away from us and we cannot fall further behind,” he warned post-match.
“With this win we cut back on Atletico and also Malaga, who lost. Therefore mine was an important goal, it had to come as the team needed it, we played against a side that was far ahead of us.
“The collective won this game against a side that came into the game very strong. Our away form is now something that we have to improve, playing against our rivals in front of our crowd gives us a special motivation, but the points are worth exactly the same away from home.”
The striker admitted relief in finding the net on Saturday.
“Today I scored the first and with my first chance, in my last game I had three clear chances and did not score.”