Much-changed Valencia go into tomorrow's Primera Division opener at Malaga with hopes to challenge for the title this season.

Valencia finished third last season but a massive 25 points behind second-placed Madrid, and this summer saw a host of senior players exit the cash-strapped club, including World Cup winners David Villa, David Silva and Carlos Marchena.

However, Los Che have been busy in the transfer market themselves and the addition of proven La Liga strikers Aritz Aduriz and Roberto Soldado will go some way to offsetting the loss of the prolific Villa to Barcelona.

It remains to be seen if Unai Emery's reshaped squad can seriously push the big two at the top of the table, but winger Joaquin does not believe Barca and Madrid will have it all their own way.

"We have to aspire for the same as them and we have to see if we are capable of taking a step up with respect to last season," said the 51-times-capped Spain international in Superdeporte.

"We hope that Madrid and Barca don't have it as easy as last season. It's early days, but I don't think they'll have it as easy."

Valencia will be without the injured Soldado for the trip to face a Malaga side who have also seen plenty of squad changes this summer.

Malaga, who finished just one point and one place above the relegation zone last season, also have a new coach on the bench in the form of Jesualdo Ferreira.

The former Porto and Benfica boss, who will be without the injured Helder Rosario, Javier Malagueno, Duda and Manolo Gaspar, said of tomorrow's game: "They (Valencia) are a great team, getting a place in the Champions League is not easy. We have to respect them but we don't fear Valencia."