Luis Enrique hopes Barcelona will have learned a lesson from Saturday's frustrating 0-0 draw with local rivals Espanyol by the time they meet again in the Copa del Rey in midweek.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez hit the woodwork either side of half-time as the European champions drew a blank for the first time in La Liga this season to edge just a point ahead of Atletico Madrid, who face Levante later on Saturday, at the top of the table.

"It is difficult when a team plays on the limit in terms of intensity. It was the kind of game we expected and they pressed very well, especially at the start of the game," said Enrique.

"We started very well in the second-half when we played at a different tempo. We created chances and on these type of days when you are finding it more difficult you can't afford to miss them."

Defending champions Barca play host in the first of two legs between the sides in the last 16 of the Cup on Wednesday.

"Of course it conditions (the upcoming games). At the Camp Nou we are going to try and play at the same intensity and overcome them," he added.

"It is an attractive game and we are playing against a side that did very well today."

A first point in eight matches against Barca was further evidence of Espanyol's upturn in fortunes since Constantin Galca replaced Sergio Gonzalez as head coach last month.

The Romanian hailed the effort of his players, but is confident they will be fresh enough from Spanish football's curtailed 10-day winter break to show the same energy levels again on Wednesday.

"Barcelona had some clear chances, they started very well in the first 20 minutes of the second-half, but we stayed together and played to our strengths," he said.

"Physically they ran a lot, but they are professionals. They will recover and be ready for the next game."