Espanyol and Atletico Madrid have played out a goalless first half in their La Liga clash in Barcelona.

It was the hosts who started the contest on a brighter note as Pizzi drove through two challenges and tried to curl home an effort in the sixth minute, but his shot was deflected high and wide of the goal.

Atletico soon started to have a good spell but the hosts held their own at Estadi Cornella-El Prat.

David Villa had a good chance on the half-hour mark when he collected a loose ball inside the Espanyol penalty box, but his final effort was nowhere near target.

Koke was unlucky not to put Atletico in the lead as he saw his effort come back off the post five minutes from the half-time interval.