Malaga have managed to hold Barcelona to a 0-0 draw at home last night.
Frank Rijkaard's team is firmly focused on this week's Champions League quarter-final against Benfica because their lead is so big in the Primera Liga, they have the luxury to do so.
The point in Malaga has extended their advantage to 13 points above second-placed Osasuna who were beaten in their game at Athletic Bilbao.
The first chance of the game fell to Barcelona in the ninth minute.
Ludovic Giuly picked up Henrik Larsson's lay-off on the edge of the box, but slicing his shot went into the stands.
Four minutes later and Giuly returned the favour, crossing for Larsson at the far post.
He headed the ball goalwards but was denied by a sprawling save by Francesc Arnau.
In the 71st minute, Santiago Ezquerro's measured effort looked to have the beating of Arnau but again the Catalan goalkeeper produced a stunning save at full stretch to deny the Barcelona substitute.
Malaga's best chance of the game came in the final minute, Duda's fierce drive testing Valdes who had to turn the ball behind for a corner.
With practically the last kick of the game Eto'o could have won it. After beating Gerardo Garcia, the Cameroon striker unleashed a powerful shot that cannoned back off the bar.
Barcelona didn't win, but when a team has such a massive advantage at the top of the standings, neither the players nor the coach will be losing much sleep over the result.
Malaga, on the other hand, needed to win to give themselves a push as they look to get out of trouble.
They are at the bottom of the standings and looking like relegation fodder.
Frank Rijkaard's team is firmly focused on this week's Champions League quarter-final against Benfica because their lead is so big in the Primera Liga, they have the luxury to do so.
The point in Malaga has extended their advantage to 13 points above second-placed Osasuna who were beaten in their game at Athletic Bilbao.
The first chance of the game fell to Barcelona in the ninth minute.
Ludovic Giuly picked up Henrik Larsson's lay-off on the edge of the box, but slicing his shot went into the stands.
Four minutes later and Giuly returned the favour, crossing for Larsson at the far post.
He headed the ball goalwards but was denied by a sprawling save by Francesc Arnau.
In the 71st minute, Santiago Ezquerro's measured effort looked to have the beating of Arnau but again the Catalan goalkeeper produced a stunning save at full stretch to deny the Barcelona substitute.
Malaga's best chance of the game came in the final minute, Duda's fierce drive testing Valdes who had to turn the ball behind for a corner.
With practically the last kick of the game Eto'o could have won it. After beating Gerardo Garcia, the Cameroon striker unleashed a powerful shot that cannoned back off the bar.
Barcelona didn't win, but when a team has such a massive advantage at the top of the standings, neither the players nor the coach will be losing much sleep over the result.
Malaga, on the other hand, needed to win to give themselves a push as they look to get out of trouble.
They are at the bottom of the standings and looking like relegation fodder.
