Espanyol put a dent in Barcelona's hopes of securing consecutive Primera Division titles after holding their local rivals to a goalless draw.
However, Pep Guardiola's side may consider it a point gained rather than two lost after playing 28 minutes with 10 men in the wake of Dani Alves' red card.
Espanyol created the best chance just before the break when Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes tipped Osvaldo's close-range shot onto the post, while the visitors also hit the woodwork early on through Pedro Rodriguez's mishit cross.
Aside from that, Barca, who had won their previous seven games, struggled to create much to worry the Espanyol defence as they drew a blank in front of goal for the first time in the league since October.
Guardiola expected a tough fixture, describing it as Espanyol's "game of the year", and he was proved correct as the home side made it hard for their high-flying opponents throughout.
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