Valencia Player also suffering off the pitch

It had been a tumultuous summer for Daniel Parejo and things have scarcely improved since the season began with the midfielder detailing how Valencia fans shout abuse at him in the street following the club's winless opening to the season.

That streak did actually end on Thursday evening with Los Che recording their first victory of the season, a 2-1 win against Deportivo Alaves and Parejo scoring an 88th minute penalty.

"Sometimes I go down the street with my family and people shout at me to run more and they call me a dog," Parejo explained to COPE reporters.

It was a moment of monumental pressure when the Spaniard stepped up to take the late spot-kick yet he believes such a responsibility helped him.

"I knew that if I failed with this penalty I would not be able to walk out of the Mestalla, but I like challenges and will always stay that way."

Valencia had been rocked by the dismissal of former coach Pako Ayestaran after the defeat to Athletic Club but Parejo is determined to come through the bad spell.

"Fate has said that I'm in Valencia and I am a professional, every day I am here I will train as hard as anyone and I'll stick up for the club and for the staff right up until the last day I am here."