Espanyol and FC Barcelona produced a dull 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Kings Cup quarter-final in the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on Wednesday night. The appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as new Espanyol coach on Tuesday added extra spice to the game as the city's two teams went head to head for a place in the last four of Spain's knockout competition.
However, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola saw the game as the chance to give minutes to some of his fringe players such as Alexander Hleb and Bojan Krkic.
The result was a game where flowing football was largely absent and clear-cut scoring chances virtually non-existent.
Barcelona's Sergio Busquets (L) and Carles Puyol (R) fight for the ball against Espanyol's Sanchez (C) during their Spanish King's Cup soccer match at Lluis Companys stadium in Barcelona, January 21, 2009
Barcelona lost central defender Rafael Marquez though injury 10 minutes into a first half where Espanyol had the better chances, although they only drew one save from Barcelona keeper Pinto. Barcelona stepped up the pace in the second period, but although Guardiola introduced regulars Xavi Hernandez and Leo Messi, his side never really looked like scoring.
The 0-0 final score leaves Barcelona as favorites to qualify from next week's return leg in the Camp Nou, but should Espanyol score an away goal, a surprise cannot be ruled out.
Espanyol meanwhile will take heart from a spirited performance that should boost their morale for the battle to avoid relegation to the Second Division.
The other quarter-final played on Wednesday pitted the last two cup winners against each other as Valencia entertained Sevilla in their Mestalla stadium.
In contrast to the Barcelona derby, the two teams produced 90 minutes of thrilling Cup football as Valencia scored two late goals to win 3-2.
The home side took an early lead through top scorer David Villa, but after Villa limped off midway through the first half, Sevilla grew in confidence.
Brazilians Luis Fabiano and Adriano, the latter from a clear offside position, scored in the second half to put the visitors 2-1 ahead and it looked as if Sevilla had one foot in the semi-finals.
However, Valencia dug deep and in the last 10 minutes goals from Ruben Baraja and Juan Mata gave them a nail-biting win.
A single goal in next week's return leg would be enough to qualify Sevilla, but if that game is as exciting as this, there can be no clear favorite.
The remaining quarter-finals between Athletic Club Bilbao and Sporting Gijon and between Mallorca and Betis are to be played on Thursday.
马斯克一手造梦想一手造时势
体坛英语资讯:Udinese ink deal for Brazilian striker Vizeu
TED演讲:区块链将如何改变金钱与贸易
国内英语资讯:Chinas 12th NPC standing committee to convene session
哈里梅根王室婚礼细节公布 “伴郎”威廉陷两难
国际英语资讯:Mexico should look to Central, South America for trade, says ECLAC
国际英语资讯:Egypts Sisi underlines importance to boost Egyptian-U.S. ties
国际英语资讯:Martin Schulz resigns as German SPD chief
国内英语资讯:Chinas growing innovation capacity to play bigger role in global health: Bill Gates
国际英语资讯:Cuba, U.S. hold talks on collaboration against money laundering
国内英语资讯:Nasdaq to celebrate Chinese New Year through special opening bell
国内英语资讯:China welcomes rapprochement between DPRK, ROK
我国城镇家庭看重校外教育
比特币滑向6000美元关口
情人节,一句话虐哭单身族
国内英语资讯:Chinese president offers deep condolences to Putin over plane crash
体坛英语资讯:Leipzig beat Augsburg 2-0 in German Bundesliga
国内英语资讯:China, ASEAN to begin consultation on Code of Conduct in South China Sea in March
近几年,汉语中的狗文化好像变了
国际英语资讯:U.S. vows to maintain sanctions against Russia on Minsk Agreements anniversary
国际英语资讯:Pakistan will not allow use of its soil against any country: army chief
体坛英语资讯:Kenyans eye Lisbon Half Marathon win, rule out world record attempt
体坛英语资讯:Swedens Kalla wins first gold, Bjoergen of Norway makes history at PyeongChang Olympics
国际英语资讯:U.S. Secretary of State arrives in Cairo to start Mideast tour
国内英语资讯:CCDI highlights further reform of national supervision system
国内英语资讯:Xi expresses condolences over HK bus crash
川普周一公布1.5万亿美元整修基础设施计划
以色列称空袭“重创”伊朗和叙利亚军队
美参议院权衡移民改革多种议案
体坛英语资讯:Cai: A charitable spirit is good for Chinese football