Messi stays for Man United while Barca draws 0-0 in Huesca

BARCELONA, Spain – Lionel Messi missing and most of his usual starters, Barcelona could only draw 0-0 in Huesca in the Spanish league on Saturday, three days before the visit of Manchester United in the Champions League.

Barcelona increased its lead to 12 points ahead of Atletico Madrid, second, who will face Celta Vigo later.

With the title of the league seemingly blocked six laps from the end, Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde focused on United's visit on Tuesday. Barcelona won 1-0 at Old Trafford in the first leg of their European quarter-final.

The only top players to face Huesca were goaltender Marc-André ter Stegen, midfielder Arturo Vidal and striker Ousmane Dembele, who had his first action since being out for the past month, injured in the left leg.

Valverde left Messi and Sergio Busquets resting, while Ivan Rakitic had a fever and Sergi Roberto stayed home to treat a leg injury. Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique have served a suspension of play for having accumulated five bookings.

In their place, Valverde gave playing time to several young players.

Senegal defender Moussa Wague, 20, and 19-year-old French central defender Jean-Clair Todibo made their debut, while midfielder Rique Puig, 19, made his first league match.

Barcelona beat Huesca 8-2 at Camp Nou in September as Huesca played their third match in their history.

Despite the need to take the three points, Huesca barely threatened the goal of Ter Stegen.

Barcelona's Malcom came closest to the goal when it hit in the 57th minute.

Huesca was left in last place at five points of safety.

___

More football AP: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, disseminated, rewritten or redistributed.