Swansea are ready to prove themselves against Valencia,' says boss Michael Laudrup

MICHAEL LAUDRUP says Swansea are no Europa League flash in the pan – and wants them to prove it by making the last 32 with another win over Valencia tonight.

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup is holding out for a win against Valencia CF [GETTY]

The Welsh club produced the greatest Euro night in their history with a 3-0 success at the Mestalla in September. It came against 10 men following Adil Rami’s 10th-minute red card and Laudrup is fully aware that his side will face the “real” Valencia second time around.

The result of Group A rivals Kuban Krasnodar and St Gallen could seal their qualification ahead of kick-off, but Swansea’s manager wants his men to nail down a spot in the knockout stages in style.

Swansea are in a bid to beat Valencia CF (above) for the second time [GETTY]

Beating them twice would make it an enormous result. I will go into the game with the mentality that we have to win – either to qualify or to finish top

Michael Laudrup

Laudrup said: “It is a boost to have beaten them out there but all the Spanish players here know it wasn’t the top Valencia we met. We played well, but they had a man sent off. I’ve seen their two away games and they played well. That was the real Valencia with these players they have.

“Beating them twice would make it an enormous result. I will go into the game with the mentality that we have to win – either to qualify or to finish top. The important thing is to move on to the knockout stage.”

Valencia have already qualified, but are 11th in La Liga after one win in their last seven domestic fixtures.\

That has left manager Miroslav Djukic fighting for his job ahead of Sunday’s clash with Osasuna and Laudrup admits Los Che have under-achieved this season. “With the players they have, they could go up to fourth, fifth or sixth in the table,” he said.

Swansea welcome back former Valencia wideman Pablo Hernandez after just 29 minutes of first-team action since September.