Barcelona: Lionel Messi, Barcelona Drop Points with 2-2 La Liga Draw with …

Quality Sport Images/Getty ImagesBarcelona dropped points in La Liga on Saturday after Espanyol held them to a 2-2 draw in a Catalan derby at the RCDE Stadium.

Barcelona struggled to cause Espanyol problems but did go close to an equaliser just before half-time when Luis Suarez saw a shot hit the post.

Lionel Messi managed a tame shot, which was comfortably saved by Lopez, and then went tumbling in the box but saw his penalty appeals correctly waved away.

Messi forced Lopez into a save with a strong header from a Sergi Roberto cross, while Suarez toe-poked a shot on the woodwork.

Barcelona play Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.