New Delhi: David Silva scored for Valencia what could prove to be a vital away goal against a Dynamo Kiev side who were reduced to 10 men on a freezing night in Ukraine.
Valencia endured a very, very cold encounter in Kiev to earn a valuable draw thanks to a first-half goal from David Silva- and are now favourites to progress in the second leg.
The visitors were unaffected by the constant snowfall in Ukraine, and more than held their own against a strong local side who were reduced to ten men after drawing level.
Raul Albiol inadvertently put the ball through his own net to bring Dynamo back into the game, but Los Che could have won it after Artem Milevskiy was dismissed with 20 minutes to go.
Unai Emery opted to start with a conservative approach as Fernando Morientes was named up front on his own with Silva in support just behind to capitalise on any chances.
It proved to be a good tactic as Valencia were able to advance in the opening moments and actually took the lead with just eight minutes on the clock.
Juan Mata was picked out down the left of the area and his low cross from the byline towards the near post was met by Silva, who beat Stanislav Bogush from close range.
Shortly before the goal Kravets had gone close at the other end and soon after the deadlock had been broken Milevsky controlled the ball inside the area only for his shot to be deflected wide.
Dynamo then had legitimate claims for a penalty before half-time as Ognjen Vukojevic was nudged over by Hedwiges Maduro in the box, but the referee ignored all the appeals.
The hosts had piled on the pressure and Cesar was able to show Tottenham that he may have been worth keeping with a fine stop to deny Kravets again.
After the break, Dynamo went forward again and it was no surprise when Valencia's defence eventually conceded, but they will be disappointed with the way it happened.
A free-kick was flicked on and Albiol looked to beat his marker to head clear, but instead could only steer the ball past Cesar, so the hosts and their fans were able to celebrate.
The home team were not celebrating soon after when Milevsky was shown a second yellow card after complaining to the referee that he had been fouled himself by David Albelda.
With their best player off the field, Dynamo had little to offer and Valenica could have won the game late on only for Morientes to shoot over having created himself time and space.
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