The 2010-11 campaign was a pivotal season of transition and consolidation for Valencia as Los Che, under Unai Emery, bravely navigated their first season without star striker David Villa. Despite the immense challenge of competing against the dominant Barcelona and Real Madrid, Valencia secured a vital 3rd-place finish in La Liga, ensuring a coveted return to the Champions League. Spearheading the revamped attack was the returning local hero Roberto Soldado, whose 18 league goals (25 across all competitions) announced him as the new talisman. Although the side reached the Round of 16 in both the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, the season was defined by Soldado's emergence, cementing a period of relative stability and high-level European qualification that marked a crucial step forward for the club.