Valencia will be made to work for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League as Zenit St Petersburg have taken a 1-0 lead in their Group H clash.
It was a fast start from Zenit as they showed intent to snatch an early goal, and Domenico Criscito came close as his deflected cross looked to be looping into the net until Jose Gaya headed off the line.
In the 15th minute, the home side found the breakthrough as Oleg Shatov nudged past the goalkeeper from close range after easing through Valencia's backline.
Zenit were in control, but the Spanish visitors showed glimpses of threat, particularly with Paco Alcacer, who at one moment looked through on goal, but the linesman wrongly flagged the forward offside.
Minutes later, Artyom Dzyuba had a similar misfortune as he was ruled offside after receiving a through-ball from Hulk, and they could have had a decent chance to grab a second goal when Danny found space for a shot, but his effort soared into the stands.
Another offside call was made, which was a relief to Axel Witsel as the Belgian missed an open chance with a shot, which just needed a tap-in after Hulk's free kick towards the far post fizzed across goal.
Alcacer tried to get Valencia back into the game before the break with some decent movement, but his end product was missing.
Danielle Joynson
