Alba comes out of left field to fill void on Spain flank

This time last year, few Spanish fans or pundits could say with certainty who would be playing left-back for La Roja at Euro 2012.

Joan Capdevila played there in 2008 and 2010, offering both defensive solidity and important width to Spain’s attacks down that flank, but thereafter quickly faded from the scene, and Vicente Del Bosque’s search for a replacement had stalled.

Alvaro Arbeloa was tried there in qualifying, but as a right-footer offered little attacking threat on the left. Malaga’s Nacho Monreal had been around the squad a few seasons without nailing down a place. Espanyol’s Didac Vila impressed for the victorious Spanish U21s last summer, but was still a bit raw for the senior side. Liverpool’s Jose Enrique had more backers in England and Ireland than in Spain.