Leeds players remain convinced that they can beat Valencia in the away leg of the Champions League semi-final, following last night's goalless draw. Skipper Rio Ferdinand said: "We are quietly pleased with the result. Now we can go over there and hopefully do the job. For me this European run has been a great experience and is all part of the learning curve. We are all learning and we can all mature together and hopefully bring success to this club." Irish defender Ian Harte believes that next Tuesday's game will be a tough test for Leeds, and accepts that Valencia will be pleased with last night's goalless draw. He said that last year's beaten finalists were "probably the best team we had come up against in the competition this season," adding that Leeds will "need to be firing on all cylinders" for the second leg.
Fiery striker Alan Smith also believes that Leeds are far from finished. He said: "We're disappointed not to have scored a goal to take to Spain next week for the second leg of our Champions League semi-final against Valencia. But we're always capable of scoring on our travels so we're not out of this tie yet. The big prize is still there to be won and we're now down to just one game to decide who goes into the final." Manager David O'Leary expects another close game, saying: "I know on our day we can score an away goal and it's amazing how an away goal can change everything" He added: "These games aren't decided by three or four goals.
Valencia's home ground is 'fortress' Mestalla, a 53,000-capacity cauldron which has yet to be breached in its two years of Champions League action. Leeds know that they must score in what has become an inhospitable venue next week if they are to have any hope of reaching the final. But in Valencia's 16 previous Champions League matches on home soil, they have not only proven unbeatable - winning twelve and drawing four - but they have conceded a miserly eight goals.
It was so nearly a great night in Leeds as the best of the chances fell United's way during a performance in which they gave 110%, but Lee Bowyer hit the crossbar, Dominic Matteo saw Santiago Canizares make a wonder save, while Alan Smith, Harry Kewell and Ian Harte all came close. It was not all one-way as Nigel Martyn made two important stops, Gaizka Mendieta also struck the woodwork, while Rio Ferdinand cleared a Vicente header off the line in the third minute of injury time.
Leeds, though, certainly deserved a one-goal cushion to take to Valencia, but despite the advantage swinging the way of the Spaniards, Cupar remains cautious about his side's chances. "You always suffer when you are on the bench, but in this game I had more reason to do so than before," revealed Argentinian Cupar, who will be without key players Ruben Baraja and Amedeo Carboni for the second leg due to suspension. We faced a very ambitious team. They created a lot of danger in the area, but defensively we were well organised, although it was certainly a match in which we suffered. The result could have been better, and obviously we have to be fearful of Leeds scoring a goal in the Mestalla, although we are more than capable of scoring on our home ground. (PA)
Filed by Shane Murray
