Despite Sunday's 4-0 win over Sporting Gijon, Valencia coach Unai Emery insists it will be difficult for his side to finish in the top four of La Liga.
Sunday's defeat of Sporting saw Valencia end a poor run of form after four draws and a loss in their last five league games, and also helped them move eight points clear of fourth-placed Levante.
Now eighteen points behind league leaders Real Madrid and eight behind Barcelona, any hope Valencia had of ending their more illustrious rivals' grip on the La Liga crown is all but over.
And while qualifying for the Champions League has always been a more realistic aim for Los Che, Emery insists it will not be easy for his charges to finish in the top four this season.
"It will be hard for us to stay in the Champions League places," Emery said in his post-match press conference.
"Winning this league is very hard and we are not at the same level as Real Madrid or Barcelona, it is very hard for us to beat everyone."
Sofiane Feghouli gave Valencia the lead in the 34th minute on Sunday evening, before an Alberto Botia own goal in the 73rd minute put the result beyond doubt.
Jonas then grabbed an injury-time brace to cap off a good night for Los Che, and Emery admitted he was pleased with the overall result.
"We knew that Sporting Gijon closed down very well and that the victory would depend on ourselves, on our capacity to break the deadlock," Emery added.
"After we were 1-0 up, the match was more open and that benefited everyone."
Valencia are back in La Liga action next Sunday when they travel to play Barcelona.
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