Newcastle United and Olympique Marseille drew 0-0 and the Spanish derby between Villarreal and Valencia also finished goalless on a bad night for strikers in Thursday’s UEFA Cup semi-finals.Both places in the May 19 final in Gothenburg will be up for grabs in the second legs in two weeks, with favourites Marseille and Valencia facing the double-edged sword of home advantage but a potential exit on the away goals rule.An injury-hit Newcastle side enjoyed the lion’s share of possession at St James’ Park and missed good chances through Shola Ameobi and Gary Speed with France keeper Fabien Barthez at their mercy.But Marseille came closest to breaking the deadlock when a spectacular left-foot volley by striker Didier Drogba smacked against the inside of Shay Given’s post and bounced out.Despite the setback, Newcastle boss Bobby Robson remainedup beat about his team’s chances of reaching the final and perhaps lifting their first major trophy since 1969.“I know we can give them as difficult a game as they gave us tonight when we play the second leg,” he told reporters. “We won’t be afraid.”Marseille manager Jose Anigo is clearly counting on the cauldron-like atmosphere in the French Port city to turn the second leg his team’s way.“Now we have the opportunity of reaching a European final and that will spur everyone on at the Stade Velodrome,” said Anigo. “I am looking forward to it.”European champions in 1993, Marseille reached the UEFA Cup final in 1999.Villarreal, playing in Europe for the first time, extended a remarkable defensive record of keeping a clean sheet in all nine home ties in a campaign that began last July in the Intertoto Cup. They faded after a bright start on Thursday and Primera Liga leaders Valencia were also Left to curse the woodwork after midfielder Ruben Baraja rattled the crossbar with a powerful header in the second half.Valencia coach Rafa Benitez, whose club were Champions League finalists in 2000 and 2001, rued the missed chances in an improved second half performance.“Now it is up to us to try to complete the job in front of our own fans,” Benitez said. (Reuters)
