Whilst much of the weekend’s focus in the European women’s game was on the intense title battles taking place in various locations around the continent, it is easy to forget that there was also some international action for fans to enjoy too, with the 2024 Women’s U17 European Championship reaching its conclusion and Spain securing their fifth title after seeing off the challenge of England in the final.
The annual tournament has always been an exciting fixture in the football calendar, providing fans with a chance to identify future stars of the global game and see who has the potential to go the distance.
2024 was no different in that regard, and one player who particularly caught the eye was Spanish forward Alba Cerrato, who currently plays for Sevilla Femenino in Liga F.
Capable of playing across the forward line, she cemented her burgeoning reputation as a deadly finisher by ending the tournament as both its top scorer, having scored seven times in the finals, and as the Player of the Tournament.
There is no doubt that Cerrato will be one to watch in the future, thanks to her impressive displays in Sweden.
This tactical analysis will take a closer look at Alba Cerratos style of play to see why she became a crucial component in the Spanish machine, their tactics and why there is a growing feeling that she could follow in the footsteps of some of the country’s greatest strikers.
Alba Cerrato Attacking Threat
When watching Alba Cerrato play, it is clear that she possesses all the raw abilities a top striker needs.
She has exceptional spatial recognition and an awareness of her surroundings, which ultimately helped her to be such a crucial player for her country on their road to glory in Lund and Malmö.

In particular, what has stood out is her ability to play on the shoulder of the opposing defensive line but rarely be caught offside, with her only being shown the flag once throughout all five games in the competition.
That highlights again her excellent awareness of what is happening around her and how she can position herself in areas where she can allow her teammates to play the ball forward, without them continually seeing chances wasted.
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