Dynamo Kyiv were held to a 1-1 draw in their first leg of the UEFA Cup Round of 32 against Valencia CF in Kyiv.
The White-Blues were without the suspended Oleksandr Aliyev as well as the injured Pape Diakhaté and Ismaël Bangoura. Meantime, the 19-year-old forward Artem Kravets started alongside experienced Artem Milevskyy in attack, and midfielder Serhiy Kravchenko made his official debut for Dynamo Kyiv.
David Silva gave his side the perfect start after eight minutes by netting the opener from close range. Despite creating a number of excellent chances, it took the home side until the 62nd minute to level the score. The Kyivers won a free-kick on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area and Florin Cernat's cross-shot reached Milevskyy in the box before flying past César Sánchez.
Yuriy Semin’s men continued to threaten but wasted several good chances, with Artem Milevskyy, Serhiy Kravchenko and Ognjen Vukojević all failing to convert presentable opportunities. Moreover, Dynamo had to play the last third of the match with ten men, following Artem Milevskyy’s dismissal.
The return leg will take place at the Mestalla Stadium on 26 February, kicking off at 21.30 (local time).
UEFA Cup 2008/09. Round of 32. First leg.
DYNAMO – VALENCIA – 1:1 (0:1)
Dynamo: 31.Bogush, 26.Nesmachnyy - cap, 17.Mykhalyk, 3.Betão, 30.El Kaddouri, 5.Vukojević, 4.Ghioane (19.Cernat, 46), 11.Eremenko, 18.Kravchenko (36.Ninković, 63), 22.Kravets (7.Corrêa, 90), 25.Milevskyy.
Valencia: 71.César Sánchez, 3.Maduro, 4.Raúl Albiol, 5.Marchena - cap, 6.David Albelda, 9.Morientes, 11.del Horno, 16.Mata, 18.Manuel Fernandes (8.Baraja, 81), 19.Pablo Hernández (17.Joaquín, 70), 21.David Silva (7.David Villa, 67).
Goals: Milevskyy (62) - David Silva (8).
Yellow cards: Milevskyy (35), Betão (80) - Maduro (61), David Silva (63), Mata (66).
Red cards: Milevskyy (64, second yellow card).
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