Shakhtar Donetsk 0 - Celta Vigo 0

Celta: Cavallero; Coira, Cáceres, Yago, Juanfran; Doriva, Giovanella; Karpin, McCarthy (Jesuli 70'), Gustavo López (Tomás 89'); Catanha (Pablo 62'). 4-2-3-1.

Goals: None.

A depleted Celta side put up a wall of ice in the frozen Ukraine against Champions League side Shakhtar Donetsk to give them a good opportunity to advance through to the next round of the UEFA cup competition. Víctor Fernández's side were missing no less than eight of their first team squad for this match, including five defenders after Velasco became the latest victim after aggravating an old injury in training the day before the tie. As a result, Coira and Yago were included once again in the starting line up, with Cavallero returning between the sticks as has been the case in all their European matches to date. The Argentinian keeper is not happy about being left out in the league however, and has threatened to return home in December.

With temperatures over ten below freezing Celta didn't hang around, and they should have scored three in the first ten minutes, with McCarthy going close twice and Catanha shooting straight at the keeper with the goal at his mercy. Shakhtar gradually got back in the game, although they didn't create any serious goal chances until early in the second half, when Vorobyey shot wide with only the keeper to beat. The entry of Pablo and Jesuli for a tired and frozen Catanha and McCarthy gave new legs to the side, and they could have got the away goal they were looking for with a bit more fortune. The result however was more than acceptable, and if they put on their normal European display in the second leg in a fortnight's time, they should still be there when the next round kicks off in February.