Barcelona could not find a way past bottom-club Huesca, as Ernesto Valverde took the chance to rest some of his star performers.
2018/2019 La Liga
0-0
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