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Leeds United 0 - Valencia 0 Leeds: Martyn; Mills,
Ferdinand, Matteo, Harte; Bowyer, Batty, Dacourt, Kewell; Smith, Viduka. 4-4-2.
Goals: None. Héctor Cúper looks in line to reach his second Champions League final and his third European final in three years after masterminding his team's scoreless draw at Leeds. Conscious that Deportivo La Coruña were hammered 3-0 by Leeds United when they came here looking to play open attacking football in their quarter final tie, Cúper concentrated on defensive tactics, including the more defensive Albelda in his starting line up rather than Aimar, and getting his forwards to work on ways of countering what was considered the heavy handed tactics from the young but at times overaggressive Leeds players. The report on those training sessions in the Spanish press, with Valencia defenders apparently being asked to play the role of "the physical English defender" (Valencia had already suffered at the hands of Arsenal and Manchester United), was interpreted by the English papers the other way round, claiming that the purpose of the sessions was really to prepare hatchet man Ayala and his team to stop the English forwards by whatever means possible. Given that Valencia had eight men one yellow card away from suspension that is hard to believe, and the Valencia players were incredulous on seeing the papers. Whatever the case the game was at times physical, with hard tackles from both sides, but not excessively so. Italian referee Pier Luigi Collina allowed the play to flow, and in the end only showed two yellow cards all night, both to Valencia players, Baraja and Carboni, both of whom who will miss the second leg. The game was played at a rapid pace, with Leeds looking to outpace the veteran Valencia defence with strong running and use of the wings. However it was Valencia who got the best chances in the first half, with Martyn forced to make a fine save from Carew's acrobatic overhead kick, and Mendieta sending a header on to the bar with the keeper beaten. Viduka placed a header wide from close range near to half time when he should have done better, but then Sánchez was close to putting the visitors in front when Ferdinand's misdirected header fell at his feet with only Martyn to beat. The second half started controversially, with Cañizares pulling the ball back off the goal line from a Matteo header which the Leeds players claimed had crossed over. Smith volleyed over the bar and Bowyer hit the post with a looping header as Leeds came looking for a goal, and Cúper pulled off Sánchez, bringing on Zahovic rather than Aimar who he decided to reserve in case he needed him later in the game. Valencia were still looking for the counterattack though, and could have got it if Carew had not mis-hit a volley two minutes from time. Both sides could have snatched a goal in injury time, with Smith mis-timing a header and Ferdinand heading a half hit shot by late substitute Vicente off the line with Martyn fooled by the bounce. Both go on to a second leg in the Mestalla stadium in six days time with a chance to win, with Valencia having home advantage but Leeds only needing a score draw to qualify for the final. Tickets were sold out within hours of going on sale. |
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