Paris Saint-Germain and Dynamo Kyiv could not be separated in a tense first leg at the Parc des Princes. Real openings were few as the Ukrainian outfit were largely content to play in a defensive manner during the first half, although their goalkeeper did keep them in the game with a terrific save from Chantôme. Kyiv’s biggest second half threat came from distance, but home stopper Mickaël Landreau was rarely troubled.

As anticipated, Paul Le Guen started his side in a 4-4-2 formation but made no room for veteran players Claude Makélélé and Ludovic Giuly, both of whom were rested in view of Sunday’s important Ligue 1 match. Peguy Luyindula was given the responsibility of leading the line with Hoarau but both proved to be ineffective while Sessegnon, though lively in midfield, was largely wasteful when he did get into a good area. Rothen did not impose himself on the left while his deadballs were often wasted. At least at the back PSG looked solid and well organised. The same could be said of their opponents, who, through Yussuf and Sablic, looked solid in their defence. With no intentions on losing in Paris, the midfield was largely reticent to commit players forward in the first half but Aliyev and Milevskiy were more forceful in a brighter second half.

The tone for Kyiv’s performance was set early on as an ambitious effort from Ninkovic zipped over Landreau’s crossbar, with the goalkeeper comfortably having the effort covered. This would be repeated on countless occasions for the visiting side during the match, particularly as they gained more possession in the second half. PSG had a little more incision in their play, with Sessegnon the catalyst to many of their best moves. The little Benin international made a good burst down the left at the midway point of the first half but slashed wastefully into the side netting. Two minutes later, a brisk interchange of passes down the left allowed Sessegnon room to shoot at the edge of the box but his effort fizzed over. Chantôme then saw a shot saved at point blank range by Bogush after more enterprisingly play by the former Le Mans star. This proved to be the high point of the match for PSG as Dynamo came into the game in the second period. Largely untested throughout the first half, Landreau saved from Aliyev early in the second period. Vukojevic then had an effort similarly blocked before the game faded away to nothing in the final stages as both teams settled for the scoreless outcome.

Kyiv have won both of their previous European ties this season by virtue of the away goals rule. Clearly, after failing to register in Paris, that is not an option this time around. They did not really display their clear attacking threat but will not be too unhappy with the blank scoreline. Neither, though, will PSG, who recovered from such a position to eliminate Braga in the previous round, winning 1-0 with a late Hoarau strike.