Barcelona 0 - Espanyol 0

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Zambrotta, Puyol (Márquez 65'), Milito, Sylvinho; Xavi, Touré Yaya, Gudjohnsen (Iniesta 46'); Bojan, Eto'o, Giovani (Messi 46'). 4-3-3.
Espanyol: Kameni; Zabaleta, Jarque, Torrejón, Chica; Rufete (Riera 57'), Moisés Hurtado, Angel Martínez, Coro; Luis García (Ewerthon 57'), Tamudo (Lola 85'). 4-4-2.

Team changes: Barça: Sylvinho, Bojan for Abidal, Ezquerro / Espanyol: Zabaleta, Rufete, Moisés Hurtado for David García, Valdo, Lola.

Goals: None.

Another disappointing result for Barcelona, a 0-0 draw at home to city rivals Espanyol leaving them still eight points behind Real Madrid pending their game on Sunday. Frank Rijkaard's side had only won one of their last seven games, but the coach's mind was on next Wednesday's Champions League game with Manchester United, and he left some of his first choice players on the bench.

The locals had the majority of the play, but first half efforts from Giovani, Xavi and Zambrotta were off target, and Kameni saved well from Gudjohnsen when called upon. Rijkaard brought on Messi and Iniesta at the break and Messi immediately forced a good save out of the visiting keeper, who also stopped two or three efforts from Eto'o and Bojan later on.

In the end though they had to settle for a point, much to the disgust of the local fans who protested once again after the final whistle. For Espanyol it was only their first point in five matches, and they are running out of time to regain the European spots, but at least they had the satisfaction of frustrating the old enemy.