Espanyol hold Barcelona to a goalless draw
La Liga, Power8 Stadium: Espanyol 0 Barcelona 0
Barcelona hit the woodwork twice but were held to a goalless draw by city rivals Espanyol in a somewhat ill-tempered local derby.
Lionel Messi's first-half free kick curled beautifully and left goalkeeper Pau Lopez unsighted, but it clipped the outside of the post and rolled out for a goal kick.
Luis Suarez was also denied by the post shortly after half-time, his acute shot pinging back into play.
Espanyol defended resolutely and never looked cowed by Barcelona's pressure - or their superstars.
The draw means Atletico Madrid could go top of La Liga if they beat bottom side Levante in the evening kick-off.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Lionel Messi. How very predictable. Although he failed to make the breakthrough, his skill on the ball remained a joy to watch.
RATINGS
Espanyol - Pau 7, Lopez 7, Alvaro 7, Roco 7, Alvarez 7, Diop 6, Jordan 7, Hernan 7, Asensio 7, Burgui 7, Caicedo 7. Subs - Bardi, Rober Correa, Duarte, Gerard 6, Salva, Abraham 6, Raillo.
Barcelona - Bravo 7, Piqué 7, Rakitic 8, Sergio 7, Alves 7, A.Iniesta 7, Suárez 7, Messi 8, Neymar Jr 8, Mascherano 7, Jordi Alba 7. Subs - Ter Stegen, Bartra, Munir, Sandro, S.Roberto 6, Adriano, Mathieu.
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