Barcelona dropped their first points of the La Liga season as their star-studded forward line misfired in a 0-0 draw away to Malaga on Wednesday night.

Lionel Messi and Neymar have both shone in recent weeks as Barca won their first four games under new coach Luis Enrique but they failed to make an impression against Malaga with the Catalan side struggling with their link-up play.

Barca are still yet to concede a goal but that too came under threat in the second half as Malaga pressed forward and came closest to scoring from a Luis Alberto free-kick from a tight angle which keeper Claudio Bravo turned on to a post.

“We tried to move the ball around and get on top in the game but it was difficult as Malaga defended in depth,” Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta told reporters.

“Malaga did very well but at the same time we lacked speed to cause them problems and create chances.

“We tried different tactics but it always depends on how sharp we are and it didn’t work out for us today.”

Barca top the standings on 13 points, ahead of Sevilla, who beat Real Sociedad 1-0, on goal difference.

A second-half Miranda header breached the resistance of determined Almeria as third-placed Atletico Madrid won 1-0 away from home.

“We controlled the game and we had chances in the first half which their keeper dealt with and then after the goal we again moved the ball around well,” Diego Simeone, the Atletico coach, told a news conference.

“To have a corner you have to attack and the team worked hard to create the chance which Miranda took well.

“It is an important win for us at a ground which is always difficult for us.”

Results
Espanyol vs Getafe 2-0.

Played on Wednesday: Granada vs Levante 0-1; Malaga vs Barcelona 0-0; Sevilla vs R. Sociedad 1-0.

Leading standings: Barcelona, Sevilla 13 points; Atl. Madrid 11; Valencia 10; R. Madrid, C. Vigo 9; Villarreal, Granada 8.