Barcelona travelled to Catalan rivals Espanyol on Saturday knowing that a win would stretch their lead at the top of La Liga to three points.
Lionel Messi came the closest to opening the scoring in the first period, but his free kick from distance hit the crossbar.
Barcelona continued to create the better chances in the second 45 minutes, but the league leaders could not make the breakthrough as they were pegged back at their close rivals.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Cornella-El Prat as Espanyol welcome Barcelona for the Catalan derby. The away side will be looking to stretch their lead at the top of the table to three points and they will fancy their chances against an Espanyol team that have only one won of their last five in the league. Let's hope for an entertaining game as these two fierce rivals open Week 18 in Spain's top flight. Just fifteen minutes until kickoff here!
H2H! To suggest that the omens are not exactly great for Espanyol this afternoon would be putting it mildly. Barcelona have won 10 and lost none of the last 12 league meetings between the two rivals and the last time that Espanyol beat their neighbours was in January 2007. Since then, it has been a fixture utterly dominated by Barcelona, who have not beaten any team more often in La Liga history than Espanyol (93). Anyone fancy an away win here then?! I think I might.
TEAMS:
ESP: Pau; Alvarez, Roco, Gonzalez, Lopez; Diop, Joan; Burgui, Asensio, Perez; Caicedo
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
The teams are in and kickoff is fast approaching. As mentioned, Barcelona currently top La Liga on 38 points following their 4-0 win over Real Betis last time out. They also currently have a game in hand over both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid following their exertions in the Club World Cup. The victory over Betis on Wednesday, however, ended a two-game winless run for Luis Enrique's champions.
The Catalan giants have lost two of their 16 league games this season, but 12 wins and two draws have given them a healthy points total at this stage of the campaign. They have found the back of the net on 40 occasions, with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar all in wonderful form. Suarez has 26 in 25 games this season, while it is a special occasion for Messi, who has 13 Catalonian derby goals to his name and it was against Espanyol in 2007 that then 17-year-old Messi made his Barcelona debut.
As for Espanyol, they have only scored once in their last seven league games against Barcelona and they will enter this match in not the best of form. Constantin Galca's team were beaten 2-0 at Sevilla last time out, with that result leaving them 13th in the table. That might sound like a comfortable spot to be in, but they are just six points outside of the relegation zone.
Finding the back of the net has been a real problem for Espanyol this season. They have only struck 16 goals in their 17 league games, which is up there with the worst records in the division. The statistics also suggest that a draw is unlikely here, with Espanyol sharing the points in just two of their 17 games. They have won six, but lost nine. In fact, only two teams (Levante, Rayo Vallecano) have lost more games in Spain's top flight this season. Right, prediction time!
PREDICTION! Away win for me. Espanyol have struggled against their rivals in recent seasons and I think that will continue here. I am backing Suarez to continue his scoring form in a 2-0 Barca win.
KICKOFF! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Barcelona stretch their lead at the top to three points? We shall see. There is a good atmosphere inside the stadium as Espanyol get the game underway. Not quite a full house here it must be said!
It has been a decent start from the home team, with Caicedo's pace already threatening to cause problems. The striker attempts to meet a though pass from midfield, but Bravo is out to collect at the vital moment. Espanyol will be looking for a fast start against their more famous neighbours.
It has not been a comfortable start for Barcelona as Espanyol continue to space the space in defensive areas. Caicedo again causes problems as he takes the ball away from Pique and eventually wins his team a throw, which Barcelona clear. Just the start the home fans would have wanted.
Just a few signs that Barcelona are starting to settle here as they exchange passes in the middle of the park, but neither team has come close to scoring in the opening six minutes here.
It is good work from Suarez as the Barcelona forward finds space in the final third before sliding a pass towards Alba, but it is just too strong for the left-back and Espanyol regain the ball. The home side continue to threaten on the counter, meanwhile, with Caicedo's pace and movement.
We have not seen a whole lot from Messi in the opening 11 minutes, but as mentioned in the build-up, the attacker has an excellent scoring record against Espanyol. The home team continue to adopt a high-pressing approach, while a series of fouls are upsetting Barcelona's early tempo.
Barcelona do not look too comfortable at the back at the moment as Burgui continues to take up good positions down the left and his delivery has been good in the opening 14 minutes. No serious chances thus far, but it is the home side who are looking the most likely as things stand.
Iniesta has just left two Espanyol midfielders on their bottoms with a show of wonderful skill in the middle of the park, but his pass finds Neymar in an offside position. Suarez drives down the right moments later, but after evading Lopez, he takes one touch too many and the ball goes out.
Still we wait for the first chance of this match as Barcelona pass the ball in the final third. You just get the feeling that Espanyol will need to score first here if they are to stand a chance of picking up a good result. Neymar is starting to see more of the ball down the left for the away side here.
CHANCE! Barcelona come close to making the breakthrough as Neymar finds space inside the Espanyol box, but his low effort, which seemed destined for the bottom corner, is poked wide of the post by a defender. Suarez was also in close proximity and just missed out on a vital touch!
The referee has still not issued a single yellow card in this match, and Hernan Perez is a touch lucky to get away with a poor challenge on Neymar, which almost flipped the Brazilian 360! The resulting free kick presents a chance to Suarez, but the striker was offside from Messi's set piece.
BOOKINGS! Mascherano (Barcelona) and Alvaro (Espanyol) are both booked following a coming-together inside the box. This is all getting a little bit silly as a number of players also get involved.
Espanyol threaten from the resulting corner, when it is finally taken, but Alvaro can only bundle his effort wide of the post. We are still waiting for the first clear chance of the match in Barcelona.
CHANCE! Espanyol come close to taking the lead as Alvaro flicks a header towards goal, but Bravo gets down to save and manages to push clear ahead of Caicedo, who looked favourite.
We have not seen too much from Barcelona as an attacking threat this afternoon, but that was also the case for long stages of their clash with Real Betis last time out and they still won 4-0.
MATCH PIC!
© AFP
BOOKING! Lopez (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Neymar.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Barcelona and we are still waiting for the first real chance of the contest. The visitors are enjoying more of the possession, but Espanyol are full of bite in the middle of the park and continue to make their mark. Very competitive game here!
Espanyol force a free kick just outside the box as Mascherano handles...
... Should Mascherano have been sent off there? He has been booked!
Asensio takes the resulting free kick, but his effort is straight into the wall. Not great from the on-loan Real Madrid attacker. Barcelona are really not comfortable in this game at El Prat.
CROSSBAR! Messi stands over a free kick this time, but his effort smashes against the crossbar. How often does he do that! Another stunning effort and so unlucky for Messi there!
Just a reminder that victory for Barcelona this afternoon would see them extend their lead at the top of the table to three points and they would still have a game in hand over both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. More frustration for Barcelona as Suarez runs the ball out for a goal kick.
Barcelona continue to do most of their good work in wide positions, but Alves's cross towards the six-yard box is cleared by Lopez as Espanyol then manage to clear the resulting corner.
BOOKING! Joan Jordan (Espanyol) is booked for a pull on Messi.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona as Messi sets up Iniesta inside the Espanyol box, but Alvaro comes from nowhere to make a wonderful challenge. Espanyol just need to ride out this spell of pressure as we approach the half-time break. A goal at this stage would be hard to take.
HALF-TIME: Espanyol 0-0 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Barcelona have come the closest to scoring - Messi's free kick smashing the crossbar, but Espanyol have been right in the game despite their lack of chances. High-tempo affair here!
STATS! Barcelona have utterly dominated the possession with 75%, while they have had three attempts, but none of those were on target. Espanyol, meanwhile, have hit the target with one attempt. There have also been four yellow cards issued by the referee - three for Espanyol, one for Barcelona.
BENCH WATCH! Espanyol have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Abraham, Moreno and Sevilla all capable of making a difference. Barcelona, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Munir, Sandro and Roberto, but Turan and Vidal are still ineligible.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Espanyol shock their rivals here? We shall find out! Barcelona resume the action at El Prat...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona as Suarez pokes a low cross into Neymar, but his goal-bound effort is blocked. That looked certain to be the game's opening goal!
Barcelona are really forcing the issue at the moment and have the ball in the back of the net when Iniesta converts from close range, but the Spaniard was in an offside position. Espanyol are struggling to close the space at the moment and Barcelona look full of running since the break.
Espanyol cannot clear their lines and Messi has one deflected over as the pressure continues.
CLOSE! Chance for the home side this time, but after breaking into the box, Hernan Perez fires wide of the post. Bravo could only watch the ball fizz wide as Barcelona survive a quick counter!
Barcelona are really forcing the issue at the moment, but they need to be wary of the counter-attacking threat from Espanyol, who have players that could damage the league leaders here.
POST! Another incredible chance for Barcelona, but Suarez, who had evaded the challenge of the Espanyol goalkeeper, can only hit the post from inside the box. It will not go in here!
Neymar, Suarez and Messi all seem to have clicked in the last few moments and Espanyol do not seem capable of holding out for too long. You feel that there is a goal coming as Espanyol continue to struggle. Little over 30 minutes of this high-tempo Catalan derby remaining here.
We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. The first goal - if there indeed is one - would be just massive in this game. Espanyol are holding firm and continuing to threaten on the counter, but Barcelona look the more likely to make the breakthrough.
ESPANYOL SUB! Moreno replaces Burgui for the home team.
BOOKING! Alvarez (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Iniesta.
Well, little over 25 minutes of this contest remaining and we are still all square. The card count is really raising here and you sense that a red might be on its way. Incredibly, Espanyol have had a player sent off in each of their last three home league games against Barcelona! Some stat that!
Messi fires an effort straight at Pau in the Espanyol goal as the score remains all square here.
The ill-feeling in this match continues to grow as Neymar has words with Jordan, who is on a yellow card. Espanyol have just managed to quell some of the pressure with a period of possession, but Barcelona are still the team looking more likely to break the deadlock here.
Roberto has just been called back from his warm-up and it appears that Barcelona are preparing to make their first change of the match. I sense that will be for Rakitic, who has struggled to make this mark this afternoon. There are still more than 20 minutes for either of these teams to find a winner.
Moreno has a shot blocked as the home side threaten on the counter once again.
BARCELONA SUB! Roberto replaces Rakitic.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and we are still waiting for the first goal of the afternoon. Barcelona continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field here.
You just get the feeling that there is a goal in this match and it would surely be enough to secure all the points. Espanyol seem to be running out of legs as they continue to stop the play with a series of fouls. Suarez, Messi and Neymar continue to link in the final third of the field.
Neymar heads straight at the goalkeeper from a clever Alba cross.
Half-chance for the home side as Caicedo battles his way into the Barcelona box, but the striker cannot release a clear strike on goal and Alves is across to bundle clear. Espanyol are having to spend long periods without the ball, but they are still carrying a threat in the final third here.
ESPANYOL SUB! Abraham replaces Jordan.
The referee has had a tough afternoon and that is showing no signs of ending as both sets of players surround him following another late challenge. Messi stands over an away free kick...
... complete waste from Barcelona. Espanyol have a throw down the left.
As it stands, Barcelona would still be top of the table, but they would only be one point clear of second-place Atletico Madrid on the same number of games and Real Madrid would be just three points off the summit. That is as it stands though, still some football to be played in this game!
Stop-start period of the match as the referee is forced to intervene following a couple more late challenges and it is the home side that come close to scoring before Pique hashes clear!
BOOKING! Diop (Espanyol) is booked for a late challenge on Messi.
Messi stands over another free kick, but this time his effort is wide of the post.
Two minutes of added time here.
Espanyol threaten on the counter and Barcelona appear in trouble when Moreno breaks down the left, but there are no takers on his low cross into the box. We are almost out of time here!
FULL-TIME: Espanyol 0-0 Barcelona
So there we have it. Barcelona drop points at Espanyol in what was a fierce Catalan derby. In truth, the home side deserve a share of the spoils here, with Barcelona far from their best despite dominating possession of the ball. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
