Luuk De Jong helps Barca salvage late draw at Espanyol

Barcelona started and finished strongly on Sunday night but sagged in between and drew 2-2 at less fashionable neighbours Espanyol to cling on to fourth place in La Liga.

Luuk, who has scored in four of his last five games, is on 🔥 pic.twitter.com/j58XkMoFjL

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 14, 2022

“We didn’t play brilliantly, but we played well enough to win. The bad news is that we didn’t win,” said Barcelona coach Xavi.

"We need to be more effective"

— Xavi after #EspanyolBarça pic.twitter.com/uvaLhR702w

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 13, 2022

Pedri gave Barcelona a second minute lead but Sergi Darder levelled after 40 minutes and set up Raul de Tomas for a counter-attack goal after 64 minutes.

Fastest derby goal in the 21st century! @Pedri in minute two of #EspanyolBarça pic.twitter.com/ZkfbdnCaxp

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 14, 2022

With time running out, Luuk de Jong headed an equaliser that saved a point for Barcelona, but they still end the weekend 15 points behind leaders Real Madrid.

🎙 @LuukdeJong9, how did it feel to score the equalizer in injury time? #EspanyolBarça pic.twitter.com/bJOF0JnpUd

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 13, 2022

They did edge past Atletico Madrid, who won on Saturday, on goal difference.