Dani Parejo: 'Valencia deserve group-stage spot'

Dani Parejo has expressed his delight at helping Valencia return to the Champions League proper following a two-year absence.

Los Che lost 2-1 at Monaco on Tuesday but advanced into the group stages with a 4-3 aggregate win for their first campaign in Europe's elite competition since the 2012-13 season.

"This is Champions League and we faced a very big team. It was a tough game and a hard knockout match - but we finally made it," Parejo, who scored in the 3-1 first-leg win, told Antena 3.

"We are now where we deserve to be!"

Alvaro Negredo opened the scoring after four minutes in the principality last night, before Andrea Raggi levelled up to ensure parity at the break.

The hosts threw themselves a lifeline when Guido Carrillo netted a second on 75 minutes, but it was not enough to force extra time.