Valencia secured an invaluable score draw in the Ukraine to give them a vital first leg advantage. David Silva was the man who got their goal to make Unai Emery's side favourites to advance into the next phase of the competition.

Both sides were not inclined to play their best possible eleven's with Dynamo and Valencia preferring to give some squad members a chance to impress from the outset. The Ukrainians opted for youth over experience with a number of players with Champions League experience left out. Valencia's team was full of quality as David Silva and Fernando Morientes started in the most advanced positions.

As you would expect in a European tie the home side came straight out of the blocks. Kravets was afforded some time and space outside the area before firing the first chance of the game just wide of the target. But moments later the Spaniards scored the vital away goal. It was a brilliant move too with David Silva popping up in the right place at the right time to give Valencia a dream start. But despite the invaluable opening Valencia's defence was looking shaky. Carlos Marchena in particular was guilty of some poor marking as the Ukrainians again went close. However, as the half progressed Valencia started to stamp their authority on the game, ironing out their initial defensive inadequacies. The home side still looked dangerous when they found themselves in the final third and Cesar had to be at the top of his game to deny the lively Kravets on a one-on-one situation. It was a stupendous save by the former Zaragoza man ensuring that the visitors went in at half-time with the lead.

The Ukrainians were keen to start the second period in an attacking fashion and immediately forced a decent save out of Cesar. In fact the Spanish penalty area saw a fair amount of action in the opening stages with the likes of Kravets and Milevskiy going close to levelling the scores. Valencia were struggling to get into the action with the heavy snow preventing them from playing to the best of their abilities. Dynamo, far more used to the freezing conditions than the team from the Mediterranean, promptly drew level. It was thoroughly deserved as Milevskiy's well placed effort beat the despairing 'keeper. But his joy was short lived as he needlessly got himself sent off minutes later for diving. This dramatic change in fortunes saw Unai Emery unleash David Villa and Joaquin for the remaining minutes. But their arrivals failed to produce a real spark with only Fernando Morientes forcing a decent save out of Bogush before the match drew to its close. 

On the whole the home side dominated proceedings but their petulance and lack of experience proved to be their downfall. They worked hard to get back into the game but Milevskiy's red card could have serious repercussions for the second leg. Valencia got the away goal which is something they hope to build upon at the Mestalla. In truth they never looked totally relaxed in the wintry conditions but they will have their 'keeper to thank for getting them out of Eastern Europe with a fighting chance of progression.