Jordi Alba, a happy return but a miserable ending
The left back came back from injury, got an assist, but the team lost the Clasico
It's not habitual that coach hands a player a start who has just come back from a muscular injury. However, Ronaldo Koeman needed his best team for the Clasico so Jordi Alba was picked at left back even though he was a doubt.
He was one of Barca's better players. Alert to Marco Asensio's inroads, and an important attacking outlet, it was a good showing from Alba. His return allowed Sergino Dest to play in his favoured right back spot too.
Alba set up Ansu Fati for Barcelona's equaliser with a classic cut-back from the left flank, after Fede Valverde fired Madrid ahead.
It was not his only good move of the first half; three times he got in Madrid's box and caused problems for them.
He got forward in the second period too, with another fine pass, but Fati could not turn home Alba's ball. It was a bit harder for him against Lucas Vazquez, who was hyper alert to his attacking movement.
Alba made one mistake, giving it away with a slack pass, but it did not cost the team a goal. Braithwaite came on for him as Barca chased an equaliser after Sergio Ramos netted from the penalty spot, but the Catalans did not find it and lost 3-1.
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