Barcelona 0 - Espanyol 0

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Oleguer, Márquez, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst (Sylvinho 75'); Xavi, Gerard (Belletti 46'), Deco; Eto'o, Maxi López (Iniesta 46'), Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.
Espanyol: Kameni; Ibarra, Lopo, Soldevilla, David García (Morales 88'); Jarque, Ito, Fredson; Maxi, Oscar Serrano (Domi 63'); Dani (Corominas 79'). 4-3-2-1.

Team changes: Barcelona: Van Bronckhorst, Gerard, Maxi López for Belletti, Sylvinho, Giuly / Espanyol: Ibarra, Oscar Serrano for Amavisca, Tamudo.

Goals: None.

A surprise in the first game of the midweek round of matches, with leaders Barcelona being held to a 0-0 draw by city rivals Espanyol, the first point the "Periquitos" have taken from the Nou Camp in twenty years. The star of the night was no doubt visiting keeper Kameni, who started the match tipping a shot from his fellow countryman Eto'o away for a corner with less than a minute on the clock. There were few opportunities for either side for the rest of the first half though, and the statistics were grim: Barcelona 5 shots, two on target and Espanyol 0 and 0.

Frank Rijkaard had surprised everyone with his initial line up, giving a start to Gerard and Maxi López in place of Belletti and Giuly, both of whom were carrying knocks from the last game. But seeing that his opponents (who were missing the injured Tamudo and De la Peña) had lined up with a defensive side, he decided to replace his two new men with Belletti and Iniesta. Almost immediately it had the desired effect, and Kameni was in action within minutes to make a spectacular save from Iniesta, and then watch David García make a vital tackle on Eto'o before Xavi shot over the bar.

Lotina showed that he had decided to go for a draw when he withdrew Oscar Serrano to bring on another defender Domi, but two minutes later his side were left with ten men after Jarque was shown a red card for a high kick on Márquez. Kameni tipped an Eto'o header over the bar a few minutes later and Belletti broke through only to shoot over the top. But Barça could not find a way through a well organized defence, and a frustrated Ronaldinho (who was still suffering the after-effects of flu) was booked for diving in the penalty area. In the end though the locals had to settle for their second draw in a row, which gives Real Madrid a chance to close the gap tomorrow. Espanyol were delighted with their point, which takes them back up to third spot pending Wednesday's games.