Villarreal 0 - Valencia 0

Villarreal: Reina; Belletti, Quique Alvarez, Coloccini, Javi Venta; Battaglia, Josico; José Marí, Riquelme, Roger; Sonny Anderson. 4-2-3-1.
Valencia: Cañizares; Curro Torres, Ayala, Pellegrino, Carboni; Rufete, Baraja, Albelda, Vicente (Xisco 86'); Angulo, Mista (Sissoko 73'). 4-4-2.

Goals: None.

A disappointing 0-0 draw between Spanish neighbours Villarreal and Valencia in their UEFA cup semi-final, with nether side really setting things alight in what should have been the game of the century for the local community. With so much at stake both sides put out full strength line ups, with the locals only missing the suspended Arruabarrena and the visitors without the injured Aimar and also Jorge López, who was cup tied as he had played the Intertoto cup with Villarreal before switching sides.

Nerves were clearly on display in the opening minutes though, and the only real chance in the first half came early on when Reina saved from Vicente at point blank range. Anderson could have put the locals ahead had he been quicker on to Roger's cross, and Riquelme and Baraja both fired free kicks disappointingly over the bar.

It was more of the same after the break, although the visitors had the best chances, with Reina saving from Angulo and then pushing an effort from Vicente away for a corner. Baraja almost put his side ahead when he headed against the bar from Vicente's corner, and Albelda struck another shot just over the top later on. But in the end no goals from anyone, which must favour Rafa Benítez's side in the return leg in a fortnight's time.