Barca draws to fall further back

BEIJING, April 21 -- Barcelona failed again to put pressure on leader Real Madrid after being held to a 0-0 draw at home by city rival Espanyol in the Primera Liga on Saturday.

The Champions League semifinalist has only managed one win in its last eight league matches and put in a toothless display in a passion-free derby with its struggling neighbor.

Barca stays second with 61 points, eight short of Real which can extend its lead at the top to 11 with a win at fifth-placed Racing Santander.

"When our luck changes and the ball goes in, then the dynamic we are in will change. We aren't giving up on the title," Barca coach Frank Rijkaard said.

Barca lacked pace and a cutting edge at the Nou Camp until Rijkaard brought on Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta in the second half.

Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni was quickly in the thick of the action saving from Messi and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.

But for all the home side's dominance of possession Espanyol was able to hang on to earn its first point in five matches.

Villarreal, third with 59 points, can move above Barca if it defeats visiting Valladolid.

Atletico Madrid's hold on fourth place was weakened as it lost 1-3 at home to Real Betis to stay on 54.

Juande, Xisco and Capi plundered the goals from Atletico's shaky defense, and Sergio Aguero's first-half equalizer was to little avail.

In France, Olympique Lyon edged closer to a record seventh consecutive Ligue 1 title by rallying from a goal down to win 2-1 at 10-man Racing Strasbourg on Saturday.

(Source: Shanghai Daily)