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The Catalan derby ended with both Barcelona and Espanyol sharing the spoils, as the La Liga leaders managed to salvage a 1-1 draw in the torrential rain.
Gerard Moreno opened the scoring for Espanyol in the 66th minute, but just as it seemed they would celebrate a famous victory, up popped Gerard Pique in the 82nd minute to deny the home side the victory with a header from a corner.
Here are the major talking points from the game:
#1 Barcelona were unable to deal with the conditions
With perspective, Barcelona could look upon this game positively, but the Blaugrana struggled to deal with the weather and pitch conditions throughout. It was telling that their only goal came from a set-piece, as the visitor's metronomic passing was halted in the second half as the pitch did its best impression of a swimming pool.
Barca are unlikely to face similar conditions yet again, but they ought to really consider playing it long once in a while. Even Leo Messi was unable to triumph over the water puddles despite his best efforts, with plenty of passes along the ground going astray.
Ernesto Valverde will have learnt plenty of his side's ability to face adversity - this was a derby against a bruising side in the pouring rain, and Barca were able to salvage something from it. There is character in this team - and character wins you trophies.
#2 Anti-hero Gerard Pique has the last laugh
'Espanyol of Cornella' is how Pique poked fun at Barcelona's city rivals, noting the fact that they were located outside the city centre. Those comments landed him in hot water, but Pique, typically, remained unrepentant.
Barcelona's troll-in-chief received plenty of abuse from the home crowd all game, and it seemed like he was suffering, struggling to deal with Espanyol's bruising nature. However, Pique seems to be a magnet for game-changing situations, and when he headed home Barca's equaliser, you could not begrudge him 'shushing' the crown.
Pique then went on to have plenty of afters with Gerard Romero late on - with tempers boiling over. The Barca centre-back thrives in situations like these - while these situations may make the neutral dislike him, it only endears him to the Barcelona fans.
#3 Quique Sanchez Flores is building something good
Espanyol may be down in 15th place in the Liga table, but you wouldn't believe it while watching this game. Leo Baptistao was a handful for both Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique all day, with his bruising style resulting in a foul from the latter where he was fortunate to not be sent off.
The home side were inches away from having a well-worked goal stand, but for once, a La Liga referee got it right. Espanyol have already shown their ability to pull off an upset against the big boys in the Copa del Rey this season - and if they can manage to perform to this level on a consistent basis, the second best team in Barcelona can survive in La Liga for another season.
Sergio Garcia's arrival for Jurado pointed at a brave substitution from the Espanyol boss - with just results as his delicious delivery resulting in Moreno heading the home side ahead. They were ultimately unable to hold on, but Espanyol can take plenty of heart from this performance.
#4 Messi's benching was justified
Ernesto Valverde knew the gamble he was taking when he decided to name Lionel Messi on the bench. With important games in the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League coming up, the last thing Barca's Argentine magician needed was a hotly-contested derby in the rain, with plenty of rough tackles flying around.
Messi is 30-years-old, and Barcelona are taking inspiration from how Zidane preserved Cristiano Ronaldo for the important games at the business end of last season. Credit must be afforded to Valverde, as none of Barca's previous bosses have been able to rest Messi and keep him happy.
Of course, once it seemed obvious that the game was taking a turn away from Barca's control, on came Messi. Even if the maestro was unable to salvage a win for Barcelona himself, the fact is that a solitary draw is hardly going to stop the Blaugrana's march to the La Liga title.
#5 The fullback conundrum
Valverde has already started with Luca Digne and Nelson Semedo in the fullback positions earlier this season, but the pair truly stifle Barcelona's ability to create. Of course, the conditions did make it hard for them, but it is clear that Ernesto Valverde is concerned with those spots.
Semedo's performance was decent enough, but he lacks the fluency that Sergi Roberto shares with the rest of his teammates. The Portuguese right-back sent plenty of early crosses in the first half, but none of Luis Suarez or Paco Alcacer were present to take advantage.
Barcelona looked much better once both Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto came on - if an injury happens to striker either of the pair, Barcelona may look at their UEFA Champions League ambitions quite nervously.
