O'Leary still upbeat about final chances

Both sides hit the bar and Leeds striker Alan Smith missed an open goal to leave the Spaniards favourites to secure a place in…

David O'Leary has insisted Leeds United can still reach the Champions League final despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Valencia in the semifinal first leg at Elland Road last night.

Both sides hit the bar and Leeds striker Alan Smith missed an open goal to leave the Spaniards favourites to secure a place in the final against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

But O'Leary refuses to play down his team's chances of sneaking an unexpected victory in the Mestalla next Tuesday.

He said: "While we would have loved to have won the home leg, not conceding a goal means we've still got a real chance.

READ MORE

"We will go over there and play in a positive manner. We will go and try and win the game.

"I'm a great believer in fate. God is good in many ways so you never know, we might have a great night in Valencia.

"It's going to be very hard over there and they've not been beaten for quite a while at home, but I don't think this tie is over."

Valencia coach Hector Cuper believes his team's attacking capabilities will be allowed to come to the fore in the Mestalla after John Carew, Gaizka Mendieta and Juan Sanchez failed to shine at Elland Road.

"We will have more ground in which to play and more space to find," he said.

"Leeds will not come and attack us like they did at Elland Road once we get to the Mestalla.

"I hope they do play in the same way though as that will give us an advantage, but I think it will be a different type of match."