UEFA Champions League Semi-final, first leg
Leeds 0 Valencia 0
Leeds United were held to a 0-0 draw by last season's beaten-finalists Valencia tonight in an action-packed first leg of their European Champions League semi-final tie.
Leeds, looking to reach their first European final for 26 years, failed to breach the best defence of the tournament, which has leaked just eight goals in 15 games.
Both teams saw headers hit the woodwork - Gaizka Mendieta for Valencia and Lee Bowyer for Leeds - and both had efforts cleared off the line.
Valencia goalkeeper Jose Canizares denied Dominic Matteo and the world's most expensive defender Rio Ferdinand came to Leeds rescue' at the other end.
The teams will meet in eastern Spain for the return leg next Tuesday and the winners will meet either holders Real Madrid of Spain or Germany's Bayern Munich in the final at the San Siro in Milan on May 23.
Valencia coach Hector Cuper was prepared for a physical contest against a team unbeaten in their last 13 Premiership matches.
Twelve players were walking the suspension tightrope with seven players from Valencia and five from Leeds a yellow card away from a one-match ban. PA