Diego Alves relishes life in Valencia

 　　VALENCIA, Spain, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves took the time to speak to Xinhua in an exclusive¹ interview this week about his experiences at the side which currently² 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 alternating³ 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 previously⁴ been promoted from the second division⁵ 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 automatic⁶ 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 qualify⁷ 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 disapproval⁸ 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 confessed⁹ 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 prospect¹⁰ 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.

1 exclusive   

adj.不包括的，不算在内的，独有的，独享的

参考例句：

• The hotel charges 6 pounds a day,exclusive of meals.这家旅馆一天收六英镑，不包括饭钱。
• This bathroom is for the President's exclusive use.这间浴室是总统专用的。

2 currently   

adv.通常地，普遍地，当前

参考例句：

• Currently it is not possible to reconcile this conflicting evidence.当前还未有可能去解释这一矛盾的例证。
• Our contracts are currently under review.我们的合同正在复查。

3 alternating   

adj. 交互的

参考例句：

• This is an alternating current generator. 这是一台交流发电机。
• The measurement of alternating potential difference may be perturbed by stray current. 交变电位差的测量可能受到游散电流的影响。

4 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

5 division   

n.区分，分开，除法，公司，部门，师(军队里)

参考例句：

• Have you learnt division?你学会除法了吗？
• The division commander ordered that we start the attack before dawn.师长令我们在拂晓前发起攻击。

6 automatic   

adj.自动的；不经思考的，习惯性的；当然的

参考例句：

• Breathing is an automatic function of the body.呼吸是身体的一种无意识的功能。
• Modern trains have automatic doors.现代火车装有自动门。

7 qualify   

vt.取得资格，有资格，限定，描述；vi.取得资格，有资格

参考例句：

• I won't qualify until next year.我明年才具备资格。
• You must qualify yourself for the post.你必须使自己具备担任这一工作的资格。

8 disapproval   

n.反对，不赞成

参考例句：

• The teacher made an outward show of disapproval.老师表面上表示不同意。
• They shouted their disapproval.他们喊叫表示反对。

9 confessed   

adj. 众所周知的，公认的 动词confess的过去式和过去分词形式

参考例句：

• She confessed to the murder. 她供认犯了谋杀罪。
• He confessed to a priest that he had sinned. 他向神父忏悔他犯了罪。

10 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。