UEFA Cup, fourth round first leg

Villarreal held on to draw 0-0 at Steaua Bucharest in their first leg game which had been postponed from a week ago after a heavy snowstorm in Romania made conditions unplayable. Despite the result it was a lively match, with the home side putting on the pressure in the opening minutes but the Spaniards fighting back later in the first half. Figueroa and José Marí led the attack and both came close to scoring shortly before the break, and after Dinita had shot just wide for the hosts, Sorín could have won it for Pellegrini's side in the closing minutes. The return leg takes place this Sunday, and Villarreal's league match with Osasuna has been postponed to a date yet to be determined as a result. (16.03.05)