Diego Alves relishes life in Valencia

 　　VALENCIA, Spain, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves took the time to speak to Xinhua in an exclusive 1 interview this week about his experiences at the side which currently 2 lies third in the BBVA Primera Liga table.

　　Alves, 26, joined Valencia from Almeria last season. The Brazilian had spent four years in Almeria and made 120 league appearances for the club. This season has seen him alternating 3 in the Valencia goal with home-grown keeper Vicente Guaita, with Alves playing more in Europe and the Copa del Rey, where he helped his side reach the semifinal of the competition and he told Xinhua that joining Valencia had been a major step up in his career.
　　"It's a very big change, Almeria is a modest team that had previously 4 been promoted from the second division 5 and when you come to Valencia you have the pressure of the club, the fans and the press and the difference is very large. It is a club that demands a lot of responsibility," Alves told Xinhua.
　　Valencia are currently third in the Primera Liga, but are 19 points behind second placed FC Barcelona, who also knocked them out of the Copa del Rey, and 25 points behind league leaders Real Madrid, Alves admits that it is an almost impossible task to compete with the 'big-two' who have much bigger budgets than any other club in Spain.
　　"We have to be honest and say there is a big difference," he said.
　　"We have to tell the truth and admit that Barca and Madrid are a step above Valencia. That is down to the money they earn from TV rights and things such as that. Barca and Madrid have an advantage, not just with us, but with other sides in Europe," said the keeper.
　　However, with a five-point lead over fourth placed Levante, Valencia are still well placed to finish the season in third place and earn an automatic 6 qualification for next season's Champions League.
　　"There is still a lot of league to go, but we have an advantage that has left us ahead of other sides that are looking to fight to qualify 7 for the Champions League," he said to Xinhua.
　　Valencia supporters have a reputation for being some of the most demanding in Spain and among the first to how their disapproval 8 when their side is not winning. They proved that when they all waved their handkerchiefs in disapproval following Valencia's surprise midweek defeat to Zaragoza and Alves confessed 9 that at times he would like more support from the stands, although he admitted the pressure was not always a bad thing.
　　"At times they (the fans) could be better, when we play in other grounds their fans pressure a lot, but I think a player has to be used to knowing what they find in Mestalla. The pressure is normal and it makes you strong, when you are used to it, it helps you play at a high level," he said.
　　Finally, Alves talked about the prospect 10 of playing in China, and although it is not something he plans to do in the near future, it is something that he would consider later in his career.
　　"I know a lot of Brazilians who have gone to play in China and it is an interesting market for us. It is growing, as is football on a worldwide scale. Football is growing in Brazil, Japan and China and we are glad that it is another market we can go to. The fact that players such as Anelka have gone there to play will help the game grow a lot," concluded Alves.