MADRID: Barcelona defender Jordi Alba will miss Spain’s World Cup (WC) qualifier against Albania after picking up a leg injury against Italy this week, coach Julen Lopetegui said. Alba pulled out of the team’s training session on Friday and returned to Spain where tests showed he had pulled a left thigh muscle. “It seems he has a muscle problem, it’s sad news,” said Lopetegui. The 27-year-old had to be taken off in the 22nd minute of Spain’s 1-1 World Cup qualifier draw against Italy in Turin. Spain play Albania on Sunday in their third qualifier after beating Liechtenstein 8-0.