Valencia - Monaco Preview: Nuno targets 'dream' qualification

The Spanish side's coach calls on the home fans at Mestalla to help make the difference in the first leg, with opposition defender Ricardo Carvalho anticipating a tough encounter

Valencia boss Nuno says that it would be a "dream" if his side were to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League.

Los Che finished fourth in La Liga last term and are aiming to return to the competition proper after a two-year absence.

Nuno acknowledges that Monaco represent stern opposition but backs his team to get off to a good start in the first leg at Mestalla with some help from the home crowd.

"The fans always help us. It's nice that they've filled Mestalla. We have an obligation to pay them back with effort on the pitch," the 41-year-old said to reporters.

"When we're united, we are very strong. I thank the fans on behalf of the club and I hope we can achieve our dream of being in the Champions League.

"Monaco are a great team, with a squad that can solve problems. We know they're missing some important players but that won't be decisive.

"It's important to keep a clean sheet as away goals are a key value but we can't play only with the intention of not conceding. We have to go for the goals. We have an opponent of a high quality. The team will play for everything because they want to be in the Champions League."

Valencia will be without defender Nicolas Otamendi, who is on the verge of completing a move to Manchester City, but Ruben Vezo is available to replace the Argentine in the heart of the back line.

Goalkeeper Diego Alves misses out through injury, however, with Mat Ryan set to be handed his debut between the sticks.

Meanwhile, Monaco defender Ricardo Carvalho has acknowledged that his team must keep things tight defensively if they are to progress from the two-legged tie.

Leonardo Jardim's side will want to repeat last season's European exploits, in which they memorably defeated Arsenal on their way to the quarter-finals, but Carvalho is fully focused on the task ahead.

"We are a strong team and we know how to counter," the former Chelsea centre-back declared. "We will have to defend well and then be strong offensively. It is difficult to play in this stadium as an opponent; Valencia are always formidable at Mestalla.

"We need two 100 per cent games to advance from this round."

The Ligue 1 side will be without Joao Moutinho for the trip to Spain after the midfielder suffered a sprained ankle in Friday's draw with Lille.

Layvin Kurzawa is a doubt with ankle problems of his own, while Aymen Abdennour is also sidelined with a thigh injury.

In perhaps the tie of the Champions League playoff round, Spanish outfit Valencia will take on Monaco, who were so impressive in last season's competition.

The first leg of their tie will take place at the Mestalla on Wednesday, where Valencia will look to secure an advantage ahead of the return in Monaco one week later.

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Valencia

A strong 2014-15 La Liga campaign saw Valencia finishfourth in the table, just one point behind third-place Atletico Madrid, who sealed the final automatic Champions League group stage position.

Los Che had to hold off a strong challenge from Sevilla to finish in the top four, although Sevilla did ultimately qualify directly for the group stages following their Europa League success. Valencia now have the chance to make it five Spanish sides in this season's competition.

Valencia have had a two-season absence from the Champions League, but they have previous in this competition, having finished as runners-up in both 2000 and 2001. They made it through the group stages in the 2012-13 season, but eventually went out in the round of 16.

Los Che also have a strong home record against French opposition, having won eight of their last nine home fixtures against teams from Ligue 1, but they did lose 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain during their last appearance in the competition. This is also the first time that Valencia will be competing in the playoffs of the Champions League, while the same can also be said for Monaco.

Investment from Peter Lim has aided suggestions that Valencia can once again become one of the top teams in European football. They showed last season that they could match the best teams in Spain, but they have been handed a very difficult tie against a strong Monaco outfit.

Valencia's pre-season results have also been very disappointing – losing each of their last five matches, including games against the likes of Bayern Munich and Roma. The real business starts here, however, and a positive result in the first leg is certainly needed.

Recent form: WWDWLD
Recent form (all competitions): WLLLLL

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Monaco

Not many predicted Monaco to make a major impression in last season's Champions League, but it proved to be an impressive campaign for the French side, who made it to the quarter-finals.

Progressing from a group that also contained Zenit St Petersburg, Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen was not too much of a surprise, but their outstanding result came in the round of 16, when they overcame Arsenal over two legs. Their journey came to an end against Juventus in the quarters, but it was still a very strong season for one of the unfancied sides in the competition.

They missed out on automatic qualification for the group stages this season, however, after finishing third in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon. Leonardo Jardim's side just about pipped Marseille to third, while Saint-Etienne were also not too far behind in fifth position.

Key players have left this summer, meanwhile, with Geoffrey Kondogbia, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco andLucas Ocampos all seeking pastures new. Ivan Cavaleiro has been the high-profile arrival from Benfica, but the squad certainly looks weaker than last season.

Jardim's side were drawn against Young Boys in the third qualifying round last month, but they eased their way into the playoffs with a comfortable 7-1 aggregate victory.

Monaco have made a decent start to the new Ligue 1 season, meanwhile, taking four points from their first two matches to sit sixth in the table. They boasted such an impressive defensive record in all competitions last season and will need to produce something similar if they are to enjoy more success this time around.

Like Valencia, Monaco also have previous in the Champions League having finished as runners-up in 2004. One of these European giants will be eliminated at this stage of the competition and the first-leg result could have a huge bearing on the final outcome.

Recent form: WLLDWW
Recent form (all competitions): DWWWWD

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Team News

Valencia boss Nuno is still without first-choice goalkeeperDiego Alves, which could mean an official debut for summer signing Mathew Ryan between the sticks.

Nicolas Otamendi is not expected to feature as the Argentine reportedly closes in on a move to the Premier League, but Los Che have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match.

Alvaro Negredo and Paco Alcacer could start as the front two, while Zakaria Bakkali will also hope to feature following his summer move from PSV Eindhoven.

Monaco, meanwhile, also have no fresh injury concerns for the clash at the Mestalla.

The back five and two midfield players are not expected to change, but Stephan El Shaarawy could come into the attack alongside Bernardo Silva and Cavaleiro.

Anthony Martial could also replace Guido Carrillo through the middle for the visitors.

Valencia possible starting lineup:
Ryan; Barragan, Mustafi, Orban, Gaya; Feghouli, Parejo, Gomes, De Paul; Negredo, Alcacer

Monaco possible starting lineup:
Subasic; Fabinho, Raggi, Carvalho, Kurzawa; Toulalan, Moutinho; Cavaleiro, Silva, El Shaarawy; Martial

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Head To Head

The last time that these two teams met was in a friendly at the start of the 2014-15 season – that particular fixture at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium finished 2-2.

The only competitive tie between the two sides took place in the 1980-81 European Cup Winners' Cup first round, when holders Valencia beat the French outfit 5-3 on aggregate.