Emery was surprised by the number of attacks launched by Rangers

Valencia manager Unai Emery believes his team's return match against Rangers will have a major bearing on who will progress in the Champions League.

After their 1-1 draw at Ibrox, Rangers travel to Spain for the game on 2 November in second place in Group C, one point better off than Valencia.

"This is a decisive game coming up. We are at home in familiar territory," said Emery ahead of the Mestalla tie.

"Rangers are a great side, they are where they are on their own merit."

After match day three, Manchester United top the group with seven points, while the Scottish Premier League champions are on five, Valencia are on four and Turkish side Bursaspor have yet to earn a Champions League point.

The Ibrox side led from a 34th-minute Maurice Edu header on Wednesday evening but the Californian headed a cross into his net within a minute of the restart after the interval.

Looking to the return against Walter Smith's side, Emery added: "Rangers, Bursaspor and Manchester United are still in there but in the home game hopefully we can put it right.

I didn't expect Rangers to create so many chances - they could have won the game Valencia coach Unai Emery

"We can take heart from the fact that we will be in our own back yard. We will be motivated to push forward."

Valencia have won two and drawn one of their three home games in La Liga this season and sit in fourth place domestically.

Emery admits being surprised at how well Rangers attacked his side, who went in to the game strong favourites.

He said: "I didn't expect Rangers to create so many chances - they could have won the game.

"We created chances in the second half but so did Rangers, they did well on the counter and were always a threat with the high ball.

"The game didn't go so well for us. For a period in first half we weren't performing well and Rangers stuck to their guns.

"But hopefully we can put that right in the home game."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version