Valencia aiming to reclaim place amongst European elite

MADRID, Sep 7 (Reuters) ''We're back where we belong,'' was Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores's verdict after his team made sure of their return to the Champions League.

Although they missed out on European football last season, Valencia's performances over the last eight years have won them the right to be considered Spain's third power behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.

They reached consecutive Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001, won the Spanish championship in 2002 and then did the league and UEFA Cup double in 2004.

However, Valencia's Achilles heel has always been the club's failure to ensure the sort of off-the-field harmony that will enable them to concentrate on achieving footballing success.

A year of upheaval followed the acrimonious departure of Rafa Benitez in 2004 and the club recovered its form on the pitch only with last season's third-place finish in the league under former Getafe coach Quique Sanchez Flores.

Over the close season they sold talented Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar, who never quite lived up to his billing at the Mestalla after his -million move from River Plate in 2001.

They have strengthened their squad with former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes from Liverpool, left back Asier del Horno from Chelsea and talented winger Joaquin after a convoluted transfer saga, from Real Betis.

They will also be able to count on former Arsenal midfielder Edu, who was sidelined for practically all his first season at the club because of a knee ligament injury, and Spain winger Vicente who finally appears to have shaken off his ankle problems.

Up front as well as Morientes, Valencia have leading Spanish striker David Villa, who notched 25 goals in his first campaign at the club.

Off-the-field disputes have continued, with Argentine centre back Roberto Ayala coming close to leaving the club because of a contract dispute and Sanchez Flores and sporting director Amedeo Carboni enjoying a somewhat tense relationship.

However, given the players at their disposal and a relatively straightforward Champions League group containing AS Roma, Olympiakos and Shakhtar Donetsk, they should progress to the knockout rounds.

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