Valencia Club de Fútbol kicked off pre-season with a commanding 3-0 win over Eldense at the Antonio Puchades stadium in Paterna’s sports city. Luis Rioja, the club’s winger, made it clear the push for a return to European competitions remains alive in the dressing room, though he avoided naming it outright. “It’s something we all want, the club wants, the players want, the fans want”, the Argentina international said after coming off the bench.
What did Rioja say about Europe?
Rioja stressed that the priority now is building a competitive squad ahead of LaLiga’s restart. “If we do better than last year, everyone knows what the team is aiming for”, he stated. The player noted that the club, players, and fans share the same ambition, though he preferred to focus on squad-building. League standing: 9th in La Liga, 49 pts, 13W-10D-15L from 38 games, recent form WWDWL. The winger also highlighted the positive vibe in the group, especially with the integration of new signings.
Pre-season focus and new signing integration
The Eldense clash was a chance for newcomers like Sato, De Haas and Dieng to start gelling with the first team. Rioja praised the veterans’ role in this process: “We want them to feel part of the family as soon as possible”, he explained. The winger underscored that summer friendlies are vital for building confidence and cohesion before the competitive curtain-raiser.
Transfer window: what’s Rioja’s take?
Asked about possible reinforcements, Rioja dodged specifics. “I’m here to deliver my best on the pitch”, he replied. Yet he admitted everyone in the dressing room wants to see Valencia “as high up as possible”, with more wins and a stronger squad. Peter Lim’s surprise visit to Valencia on Wednesday fueled transfer talk, but the player kept the focus on day-to-day work.
What’s next for Valencia?
With pre-season underway, Valencia Club de Fútbol eyes upcoming friendlies aiming to start LaLiga in top shape. Rioja closed with a blunt message: “We’ll try to put in a better campaign than last year”. The side, which finished ninth last season with 49 points, is chasing a repeat or better to avoid missing out on Europe for a second straight year.
