Slavia Prague got off their UEFA Cup campaign to a frustrating start as they were held to a goalless draw at home to spirited Romanian outfit Vaslui. The Czech champions dominated the game but were constantly repelled by the spirited visitors who held firm at the back and now go to the second leg confident they can seal their progress while Slavia have it all to do.

Karel Jarolim handed Dusan Svento a first start for more than a year after he finally recovered fully from a knee injury. Vladimir Smicer rerturned to the squad after a lengthy spell out as well while Marek Jarolim and David Hubacek were handed starting slots. Viorel Hizo was missing top striker Lucian Burdujan and started with Peter Jovanovic. Adrian Gheorghiu replaced Marian Aliuta in midfield while Bogdan Panait and Neven Markovic came in for the injured Gabriel Canu and Hugo Luiz.

The hosts started with a good attacking intent and had two good chances in the opening ten minutes. Tomas Necid got behind the visiting defence but scooped his effort well over the bar. Tijani Belaid was the next one to miss a decent chance after a good delivery by Jaroslav Cerny set him up but he drilled his effort wide of the mark. Vaslui weathered the early storm and after that looked quite comfortable. The only real chance for the rest of the half was a Necid header that flashed wide.

Vaslui were anonymous up front in the first half but started the second in a different way and enjoyed their best spell of the game. Gheorghiu patched on a fine Ousame N'Doye ball but sent his effort into the side netting. Then Marko Ljubinkovic raced on a good Stanislav Genchev ball but his curling effort was just wide of the mark. Slavia regained their control of the game after the hour mark and had the better chances. Jarolim saw a powerful free-kick sizzle just wide of the left post while Necid fired a low drive against the keeper. The hosts were getting more and more frustrated as the game wore on and the late spell of pressure propduced no real chances.

Slavia looked off their stride and will need a major improvement in the second leg. The midfield was lacking ideas and creativity while the striker left their finishing touch at home. Vaslui will be delighted with the solid performance and will aim go produce another display of the same determined manner in the return leg.