Barcelona held 0-0 at Espanyol in Catalan derby

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique admitted that Espanyol deserved their point after the sides played out a goalless draw on Saturday.

Stefan Savic, Jorge “Koke” Resurreccion, and Luciano Vietto all found the crossbar before Partey finally unlocked the Levante defense with his audacious move right through the center of the area. “We’ll see, but these are the conditions for our next two games”.

Thomas was a second-half substitute and scored the winning goal in Atletico’s 1-0 win over Levante on Saturday to send his side to of the La Liga table.

“I still need to learn things and I am still in the learning stage”.

Espanyol succeeded where 30 consecutive league rivals had failed, to hold Barcelona scoreless.

Barca unsurprisingly created the better chances in a typically fiery derby, with Suarez also having a goal disallowed shortly before he struck the post from close range. “It’s always tough to face an opponent that plays with such high intensity”, Enrique told reporters. “The result was fair for both teams, despite the fact that we created plenty of chances”.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has demanded more from his side in the second half of the season despite looking down on Spanish football’s perennial powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Espanyol defended resolutely and never looked cowed by Barcelona’s pressure – or their superstars.

“The numbers speak for themselves and show that we fight for everything”, he said after the game.

The hosts had another slice of luck when Suarez could only strike the outside of the post after rounding Pau Lopez and turning away from Gonzalez moments later.

Real Madrid meanwhile trail their city rivals by five points ahead of their trip to Valencia on Sunday.

Simeone certainly won’t be lacking for options in the coming months despite Atletico’s involvement on three fronts as they have also reached the last 16 of the Copa del Rey and the Uefa Champions League.

“We didn’t play well, but these derbies are played to the limit, and we have taken note for the cup”, Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta said. “They did drop it later as the game went on because it is impossible to maintain that throughout the match”. “This isn’t a setback”.

Elsewhere, Charles and Raul Albentosa gave mid-table Malaga a 2-0 victory over fifth-placed Celta Vigo.