Real Sociedad vs Valencia preview - Bravo aiming higher

Posted Saturday, May 12, 2012 by PA

Real Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is hoping his side can build on their mid-table finish this season and aim for higher goals when the new campaign starts up in a few months time.

The Chilean has been a key figure as Philippe Montanier's side have suffered only one defeat in their last eight games, and he believes if they had shown that level of consistency earlier in the season they could have finished in a much higher position.

He told a press conference broadcast on the club's website: "It has been a positive season because we have stayed up, but negative because we weren't forceful and solid in the moments needed to get a result and finish higher.

"I think that next season we can be better because we have learned this lesson and because we won't conform to always being close to the bottom positions."

Sociedad captain Mikel Aranburu will play his last game for the club after a 16-year association and so too could top-scorer Carlos Vela, with the on-loan Arsenal forward's future still very much undecided.

Valencia, meanwhile, will be managed by Unai Emery for the last time before he heads off to take charge of Spartak Moscow, and midfielder David Albelda has defended the Basque coach's time in charge at the Mestalla.

Los Che have finished in third for the third consecutive season under Emery and also reached the semi-finals of both the Copa del Rey and the Europa League.

Albelda told Marca: "Every year we start with new excitement, with our mind set on improving and this year we have arrived at the semi-finals, we will see if next year we can get to a final.

"We can't forget that this is a competition that gets easier every day for the two at the top due to the budget that they have and more difficult for the rest.

"Right now we are achieving the objectives and some year we might win something but we could also unfortunately not qualify for the Champions League."

Adil Rami is suspended for the visitors and Emery is also expected to give a run out to a number of his fringe players, so Hedwiges Maduro and Mehmet Topal could start in midfield.