The Barcelona squad opened a fresh chapter under Luis Enrique with convincing form in his first two games, signaling a confident start to the era ahead.
When Spain revealed its starting XI for the final group-stage clash with Japan, one decision drew attention: Jordi Alba wasn’t the headline pick, even though the team had posted solid showings against Costa Rica and Germany. Fans wondered why this path was chosen for the Japan match while Alba watched from the bench.
FOLLOW JAPAN VS HERE SPAIN WORLD CUP IN QATAR
Why isn’t Jordi Alba playing Japan vs. Spain team for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?
There was no injury weighing on Alba. He was not nursing an ailment, nor did he show any sign of discomfort. The coach opted to reward another Barcelona talent, Alejandro Balde, who had impressed in training and earned a spot in the match squad thanks to recent performances. Balancing rotation with rest, Luis Enrique also likely planned to protect Alba for the tournament’s decisive stages, including the knockout rounds.
Balde’s rise
Balde has long stood out in Barcelona’s youth system. His journey began when he left Espanyol in 2012 to join Barcelona, a move that set him on a rapid ascent through the ranks. Born to a Guinean father and a Dominican Republic mother, he faced and overcame a range of challenges, excelling across every youth category and making 16 appearances for Barcelona B last season. This season he has kept progressing, earning trust from the first team and thriving under Xavi’s guidance.
“He combines power with technical flair. In teams that aim to attack from the wings and control possession, he naturally provides width and creates space for teammates. He has the pace and the boldness to seize opportunities when a lane opens up, and he can contribute to the buildup as well as the final ball,” said a former youth coach, Franc Artiga, underscoring his capacity to adapt to different tactical demands.
Throughout the squad discussions, Balde’s ascent is framed as part of a broader approach by Spain to blend seasoned veterans with rising talents, ensuring depth and flexibility for a tournament run. The choice to rest Alba, a seasoned full-back, was presented as a tactical precaution rather than a sign of decline. The plan was to protect key players while continuing to test young contributors in high-stakes matches, a hallmark of teams aiming for sustained success on the world stage.
In the World Cup journey, Balde’s profile rose quickly from promising youth player to credible first-team option. His physical profile—a blend of strength, speed, and technical ability—made him a natural choice to stretch play and provide dynamic width. This adjustment aligns with modern Spain sides that value possession, patient buildup, and the ability to switch the point of attack efficiently. As the tournament progressed, Balde’s integration into the squad drew keen interest from fans and analysts eager to see how he could contribute to Spain’s wider tactical system.
Analyzing how the coach manages the squad reveals clear rotation among players with similar profiles to preserve intensity while keeping the core ready for the decisive rounds. Alba, at 33, remains a trusted option with vast experience, while Balde embodies the future and a potential source of unpredictability for opponents. The balance between continuity and regeneration is a familiar theme in national-team planning, especially in a tournament setting where every match matters.