Woodwork Denies Messi, Suarez And Neymar In Draw Aginst Espanyol

Espanyol Hold Barcelona To A Goalles Draw; ‘MSN’ Failed To Score, Yes They Did!

Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw by a city rivals, Espanyol on Saturday afternoon at Cornellà-El Prat.

 

The game like all derbies was very intense and fiesty as both teams were tangling each other especially during corners and free kicks. Barcelona hit the post in each half, but Espanyol battled the whole way to frustrate their city rivals and earn a point in front of their new Chinese owner.

Messi under check from Espanyol defenders

Manager Luis Enrique reverted back to his full-strength starting XI, with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez in attack but Espanyol showed plenty of gust to start, with Ecuadorian striker Felipe Caicedo in particular posing as the danger man. But it was Barcelona who had the first real look at goal when Alba fluffed a ninth minute chance at the back post.

Luis Suarez battles for the ball against an Espanyol defender

Espanyol stayed difficult to beat as ever, frustrating the Barcelona forward, while using the push of the home crowd to move forward on the counter.

Neymar beats Espanyol defender

Neymar tried breaking the deadlock with a scissor-kick side volley in the 75th minute, and Messi missed with an 89th minute free kick, while at the other end Espanyol nearly stole a late win with Marco Asensio all alone at the back post, but the cross was too heavily for the Real Madrid loanee.

 

These same two teams will renew acquaintances on Wednesday in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.

Woodwork Denies Messi, Suarez And Neymar In Draw Aginst Espanyol