Julian Gressel has noted something about Jordi Alba’s game that has made the Inter Miami defender as successful as he has been in his career.
The former FC Barcelona star is one of the most decorated players in the history of soccer, with Alba winning sixteen major honors with the Catalan giants as well as the 2012 with Spain.
One of the most influential fullbacks in the modern era, Alba last summer took his talents to Inter Miami along with Sergio Busquets and former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi, with Luis Suarez joining the party this winter.
Julian Gressel left impressed by Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba
And speaking on the Player/Manager podcast, Gressel has noted what he has learnt from Inter Miami’s new four superstar signings, with the midfielder particularly impressed with Alba’s way of dealing long balls.
At 5’7″, Alba is far from the tallest defender in the world, yet the former Spanish international has developed a technique that allows the fullback to win aerial duels down the flank against opposing players.
Indeed, the defender was integral for Barcelona and Spain during the two side’s most dominant phases, and Alba’s ability to take on larger opponents in the air has clearly helped.
Gressel said: “Something that’s impressed me is when there’s a long ball, he always manipulates the opponent so it’s not a 50/50 challenge he has to go into in the air, which he obviously isn’t the greatest at because he’s small.”
Jordi Alba can be a real secret weapon for the Herons
Alba’s career is one of the greatest and arguably most underappreciated out of any top athlete in soccer, with the defender often going under the radar.
Yet this is what makes Alba such a useful asset for Inter Miami, with the left-back already showing this season why his quality can be a difference-maker in MLS.
Few players in the division are as technically good as the 35-year-old, and Inter Miami will be looking to get the best out of Alba as the season progresses this year.