Alba cannot wait for his Barca bow after shining for Spain at Euro 2012

Jul 2, 2012 9:16:00 AM

The left-back impressed during Spain’s triumphant campaign and is looking forward to playing alongside his compatriots at Camp Nou after his switch from Valencia

Martin Langer
In Kiev

EXCLUSIVE

Jordi Alba has switched his attentions to playing for Barcelona after winning Euro 2012 with Spain and is excited at the prospect of playing alongside his compatriots at club level.

The left-back shone during the tournament in Poland and Ukraine, netting a superb goal in Spain’s emphatic 4-0 win over Italy in the final, and believes he has moved to the best side in the world following his recent switch from Valencia.

"I really want to play with Barcelona as soon as possible, especially after seeing what I could do with my future team-mates during the Euros," Alba told Goal.com.

"It is the best team in the world that has a very good football philosophy. Now I know many players [at Barcelona]. We understood each other and we will understand each other even better."

The 23-year-old also revealed his delight at scoring in the final, adding: "It was a great move, I saw that there was a gap there and ran for it, then Xavi sent me a great pass, right where I needed it. I was lucky enough to take a good touch and finish where I had to.

"I don't think of myself as the surprise of the tournament, the coach has given me all the confidence in the world, both him and my team-mates in fact. The consequence was a good tournament, both individually and collectively and this is the result, we are champions, and deservedly so."

The current Spain side have been labelled by many pundits as the best national team ever and Alba praised the efforts of head coach Vicente del Bosque.

"In the locker room Del Bosque didn't say anything special before the game, he just set up the tactics in a fantastic way," he revealed.

"We were all very calm, because we knew what we had to do. I have experienced team-mates who helped a lot so I was very calm as well."

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