Jordi Alba, a defender with a striker's soul

Jordi Alba's goal in the final minutes of the game against Osasuna has brought the league trophy for the 2022/23 season just that little bit closer to the blaugranes' silverware cabinet. With his effort at Spotify Camp Nou in the 1-0 win on Tuesday, the Catalan left back has now been involved in eight goals this season in all competitions, more than any other La Liga defender.

The full back from Hospitalet has scored twice in the league, once against Osasuna and once against Sevilla with both goals coming at Spotify Camp Nou. Alba also has six assists this season, three in the league, two in the Copa del Rey and one in the Champions League. All this he has achieved with less playing time than his rivals, just 1,724 minutes on the pitch. His closest rivals on seven goals and assists are Real Madrid's Militão and Athletic's De Marcos who have played 3,690 minutes and 2,871 minutes respectively. 

Jordi Alba's six assists means he tops the table for defenders alongside his team mate Jules Kounde and Espanyol's Brian Oliván. 

Jordi Alba's vital goals 

Jordi Alba's goal against Osasuna could go a long way to helping Barça claim the 2022/23 league title. However, it is not the first time he has scored an important goal since joining the Club in 2012.

In total he has found the net on 27 occasions in a Barça shirt. His late strike against Betis last season away from home guaranteed Barça Champions League football for this season. 

A Jordi Alba goal in the 91st minute against Granada took the game into extra time in the 2021 Copa del Rey quarter finals. The defender was not finished there as he scored again in the game to help Barça through to the semifinals of a competition they would eventually win, beating Athletic Club de Bilbao in the final.