Luis Enrique insisted in the previous meeting. “I am going to distribute minutes, because our objective is not to overload the footballers & rdquor ;, he assured. No sooner said than done. Only Morata repeated as a starter regarding the duel against Albania.
The Asturian’s decision means good news and, in part, a relief for Xavi Hernández, since his Spanish internationals will arrive shot but not exhausted for the transcendental match against Sevilla, in which Barça can assault second place in LaLiga Santander and continue the persecution that has begun of the leadership, which Real Madrid still holds comfortably.
Against Iceland only one of the five Blaugrana was a starter, Jordi Albawho against Albania was the only one who came off the bench. The one who accumulated the most minutes was Ferran Torres: 71 against Albania and 32 against Iceland for a total of 103. Good news also for Xavi, since the man from Foios arrived injured from Manchester City and still needs competition rhythm. Pedro followed him.who yesterday added ten to the 90 of the first friendly.
The rest did not exceed 90 minutes. Eric García completed the entire match against Albania and Jordi Alba and Gavi stayed in 85 minutes. The veteran winger played 27 minutes against Albania and 58 against Iceland. The young midfielder, 63 against the Albanians and 22 against the Icelanders. Not timed. Although with Luis Enrique, a lover of having everything under control, surely he has been like that.
The Catalans have collaborated in the two triumphs harvested by the Spanish team in these two friendlies. Ferran Torres opened the way to victory against Albania, while Jordi Alba served Yéremi Pino the momentary 3-0 yesterday. In addition to these two specific actions, Pedri has established himself as the undisputed leader of Spain in his return to the national team. Both in Barcelona and in La Coruña his name was chanted.
Jordi Alba, third starting captaincy
In the absence of Sergio Busquets, whom Luis Enrique decided to give a break, Jordi Alba faced this selection window as the first captain of the Spanish team. He was not able to wear the bracelet against Albania from the start, since the Asturian coach decided that he should come off the bench, but yesterday he did act as starter. In his 82 caps, it is the third time that the man from L’Hospitalet is the first captain of Spain. The previous ones were against Sweden and Poland, in the group stage of the last European Championship, two games that Busquets missed due to Covid.