Barcelona could not find a way past bottom-club Huesca, as Ernesto Valverde took the chance to rest some of his star performers.
Match Report
A much-changed Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw by Huesca on Saturday as they moved 12 points clear of second-place Atletico Madrid at the top of LaLiga.
Head coach Ernesto Valverde left out Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and Ivan Rakitic against LaLiga's bottom club, who have only won five matches all season.
The result is unlikely to do much good to their survival chances, but Barca remain firmly on course for the title and will be grateful to have rested several key performers ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester United.
Match Events
16' CHANCE! Dembele's shot saved
Dembele with the best opportunity of the game to open the scoring after a lovely ball through the Huesca defence by Puig and Dembele races onto it, he just has the keeper to beat from six yards out. However, Santamaria makes himself big and produces a superb save to tip the ball around the far post with his feet. That looked like a certain goal.
37' Boateng almost scored
gets on the end of a low cross into the six-yard box by Wague, but he's a fraction too late and the ball hits his shin and bounces well wide of the Huesca goal.
52' CHANCE! Huesca with their first goalscoring opportunity of the game!
Alvia just about keeps a deep cross into the box alive, heading the ball back across goal and Gallego tries to turn and fire a shot at goal. However, Ter Stegen is quick off his line and makes a terrific block.
57' CLOSE! Malcom's shot hits the post
Barca go even closer to taking the lead, as Malcom's shot cannons off the post and then bounces dangerously around the penalty area, but the hosts eventually manage the clear the danger.
Player Rating
Line-ups
Huesca XI: Roberto Santamaría, Etxeita, David Ferreiro, Jorge Pulido, Jorge Miramón, E. Ávila, J. Añor, Moi Gómez, Enric Gallego, C.Rivera, Javier Galán
Subs: D. Musto, Mantovani, Álex Gallar, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Gonzalo Melero, Y. Herrera, J. Hernández
Barcelona XI: Prince, Vidal, M. ter Stegen, Jeison Murillo, S. Umtiti, Carles Aleñá, O. Dembélé, Malcom, M. Wagué, Riqui Puig, Jean-Clair Todibo
Subs: Jordi Alba, Philippe Coutinho, J. Cillessen, Lenglet, Semedo, Arthur, Abel Ruiz
GlennM
423
Played for a draw, got a draw. Fair result. Best player for Barca: Vidal For Huesca: Boateng😂
dnshaheer
361
Give me Boateng and 10 pieces of wood... I will start a furniture business😂😂
VanishPrasad
356
With Messi =Barcelona 8 - Huesca 2 Without Messi = Barcelona 0 - Huesca 0
sam_04
353
terminate boateng's contract. he is just like a wood
VanishPrasad
298
Barcelona postive point: They didn't lose Barcelona's negative point: They didn't win
Moomin17
277
To fill the legendary Andre Gomez Boot. We brought Kevin Prince Boateng. We should give 8 Million to Sassaulo to take him back.
GamingSpot
253
can anyone tell me who was our striker today because I couldn't find him anywhere near the goal.
neweimpst
227
Thank God Prince is on loan, I don't want to see that guy in my team next season, omg what a striker 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Leo0fSparta
199
Considering all the rotations and the fact most of these guys played together for the first time it was a pretty good performance, only goals missing. Puig, Todibo and Wague were great, Umtiti starting to get in form, MAtS superb as always (not that he had much to do), Murillo finally putting on a good performance, Aleña was a bit dissapointing - an average performance from him, Vidal MotM, Malcom and Dembele solid, great vision, and that strike that hit the post. Only less than average performance was from Prince. Sometimes he looked lost on the field, but he was still battling for every ball, so there is something...
EmbraceStarboy
187
I finally got to understand why people say KP Boateng was brought to take pictures😂😂
jatacelps
185
no Ronaldo, no party
Bigmullar
178
Juventus and Barcelona are bird of the same feather that flock together.
lukzlat910
168
Barcelona without Messi vs Juventus without Ronaldo, which one is more boring or useless?? 🤔🤔😂😂
U.S.A3052497
167
Barcelona position 1 (first) SD Heusda position 20 (last) Draw
GlennM
138
I waited whole season to say this. Most of you won't agree but Alena is no future. He is a very average player with no special skill. He can't shoot well, pace is poor, no vision. His Barca future will end later or sooner. and Boateng is a piece of S**t.