It was hammering down in Barcelona for the Catalan derby between Espanyol and Barcelona on Sunday and this severly affected the visitors' ability to play their free-flowing football.
Chances were few and fair to come by in the first-half as star player Lionel Messi had to watch from the sidelines after being benched by his manager, with the Champions League fast-approaching.
Philippe Coutinho had the best opportunity to take the lead in the 21st minute in what would have been his first goal for 'Los Cules' since joining from Liverpool in January.
After some great link-up play between Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan set up his new team-mate who found himself with plenty of space just outside the box. The Brazilian opened up his body and curled a beautiful strike but was denied by crossbar.
It would then be the home side to have a chance on goal. Leo Bapistao, who looked the most threatening, ran at Marc-Andre Ter Stegan before hitting a powerful strike right at the keeper. The German did spill the catch but recovered well in the difficult conditions.
Both sides were relatively happy to go into the break goalless but all the action was waiting in the second 45 minutes.
- Entertaining second-half -
Right from kick-off Espanyol thought they had scored after Gerard Moreno slotted home a pass from Bapistao. However, during the build-up, the ball had gone past the goal-line and was rightly ruled out by the officials.
As the rain deteriorated the pitch, niggly challenges crept into play as the booking total soared. Busquets, Naldo, Samuel Umtiti, Marc Navarro, Sergio Garcia and Moreno all received yellow cards.
Umtiti's would be particularly significant as it means the French defender will be suspended for Barcelona's next league fixture against Getafe at the weekend. It could hand Yerry Mina his debut, with the Colombian also watching on from the bench.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 65th minute as Espanyol pounced on a poor kick from Ter Stegan. Gerard Moreno headed in a sensational right-hand cross from Garcia which went under the German keeper and into the back of the net to take a shock lead at the RCDE.
However, it wouldn't last long as the La Liga leaders would equalise 15 minutes later through Pique. The Spanish defender somehow managed to connect to a ball with his head in a congested box to bring the visitors level.
His goal would not please the home fans, who booed him all game following his comments after Barcelona knocked out their rivals in the Copa del Rey in January.
The game would then turn hostile with tensions spilling between Messi, who was brought on in the 57th minute, and the Espanyol skipper. Both teams got involved and arguments would persist until the final whistle.
Considering the conditions, Ernesto Valverde will be relatively happy with a draw as it means that Barcelona maintain their unbeaten run in the league and are now 12 points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who have a crunch match against Valencia (3rd) on Sunday.
As for Espanyol, they remain in fifteenth but are one point closer to Real Sociedad and have a bit of breathing room over Deportivo in eighteenth.