During last week’s final round of European Championship qualifiers, Scotland failed in their endeavours to grasp a play-off place. First impressions of this statement are one of a nonplussed nature; “nothing new there”.
But when you consider they were up against Spain, the reigning victors of said-tournament, as well as the current owners of the ‘World Champions’ title, and that they were playing in the backyard of the Iberian giants, the Scots can be proud of their performance, both team and individual, despite succumbing to a 3-1 defeat.
Craig Levein’s charges fought valiantly against the machine that is La Furia Roja but, similarly to the many other teams who have fallen foul of these Spanish conquistadors, they could not find a way past the slick Spaniards, the well-drilled teamwork and the perpetual pass-and-move that consistently gazumps contenders. It was a young left back though, making his debut, who really epitomised this tactical shock-and-awe approach, providing the assist for Spain’s first goal after just six minutes.
Jordi Alba, 22, is entering his third season as Valencia’s first-choice left back and one of their most consistent performers. Equally capable of playing on the left wing of midfield, the man from Catalan was, like most of Spain’s starlets, a product of Barcelona’s infamous youth production conveyer belt. However, he was released from the safe hold of the La Masia farmhouse, to then find himself at the more obscure UE Cornelià, a team playing some three divisions below La Liga.
But, unlike many youth players released by their first clubs, he was fortunate to be offered a route back into the big time by Valencia at the end of the 2006-07 season. A loan spell at Gimnastic followed, before he eventually made his La Liga debut for Los Ches in September 2009. Initially deployed by Valencia coach Unai Emery as cover during an injury crisis, Alba seized upon the opportunity to cement his gifted left foot in the starting line-up at the Mestalla. The ensuing performances, coupled with last week’s virtuoso international appearance, have even led to speculation a return to the Nou Camp could be imminent.
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