Unai Emery insists Valencia do not have third place secured after Atletico Madrid draw

The Spanish coach believes that his side will have to work hard until the end of the season to retain their spot in the standings after picking up an important point at Atletico

By Luis Mira

Unai Emery, Valencia (Getty)
Unai Emery, Valencia (Getty)
Valencia coach Unai Emery has declared that the third position in the Liga table is not safe.

The Mestalla outfit remain five points above fourth-placed side Levante after holding Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw at the Vicente Calderon, but Emery is taking nothing for granted.

"Atletico came into this match on the back of a very positive run," Emery said after the match. "They wanted to get into the Champions League places and that was a big motivation for us.

"We are not putting the league to one side and it was very important not to lose today.

"We had a very serious match and I am satisfied, although our goal is always to get the three points.

"The third place is not assured. It will not  be easy. No one will give us the third place just like that."

Valencia, who are 11 points adrift of second-placed Barcelona, travel to Camp Nou on Wednesday in the second-leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals.


 
play pause open close
Live!
England 1-0 Belgium, Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland - follow all the international action LIVE! ahead of Euro 2012
With countries across the continent gearing up for their final warm-up games ahead of Euro 2012, join us for all the action from Saturday's friendlies. Get in touch with us via Twitter with your reaction.

Hosted by Joe Doyle
21:38 BST
And it's now 3-1 to Turkey! An own goal from Pepe and we're into time added on. Do people think Portugal will qualify from their group?
21:34 BST
Into the final few minutes with Portugal still 2-1 down to Turkey. Cristiano Ronaldo missed his second ever penalty for Portugal earlier on.
21:12 BST
Elsewhere in Europe, Portugal are currently losing at home to Turkey. Not looking good for them at the Euros!
21:03 BST
As promised, here is the match report on Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland.
21:00 BST
And here's more from Roy Hodgson on the injury concerns in the England squad.
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line

    England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012

  2. The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution

    The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market

  3. Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job

    The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday

  4. Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms

    The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield

  5. The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager

    Kenny Dalglish's sacking at the end of the season sparked a massive hunt for the next Anfield boss, and the former Swansea man has been chosen after several turned the job down