Albert Celades is one of the most fortunate men in football. Arriving in Poland at the helm of Spain’s under-21 set up, filling the considerably large boots of now-senior boss Julen Lopetegui, it is tough to recall a stronger youth squad for a tournament such as the one he has under his command at this year’s European Championship.

La Rojita boast depth in every area, with their full starting line-up against Macedonia individually starting more than 20 games apiece in Europe’s top five divisions this season. This is no ordinary youth team, it is a behemoth. A many-headed beast that has countless different ways to play with its prey before gobbling them up and spitting them out. Given the talent that Celades has at his disposal, it is natural that his decisions do not solely impact this tournament, but the careers of many.

The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG Show all 13 1 /13 The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG Barcelona's night got off to the best possible start with Luis Suarez scoring in the 3rd minute. Getty The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG Excellent improvisation from Andres Iniesta caused Layvin Kurzawa to convert the ball into his own net. Getty The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG After the half-time interval, Lionel Messi put his name on the scoresheet from the penalty spot. Getty The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG However, when Edinson Cavani grabbed a vital away goal for the visitors, Barca's hopes looked lost. Getty The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG Cavani could not hide his emotion after scoring the goal which, at that point, had looked to have ended Barcelona's hopes of qualifying. Getty The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG Three minutes from time, Neymar struck back with a splendid free-kick which beat Kevin Trapp at his near post. Getty The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG Into stoppage time, and after Marquinhos' foul, Neymar converted Barcelona's second penalty of the night. Getty The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG In the final minute of added on time, Neymar's lofted pass found Sergi Roberto in the box. Getty The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG The 25-year-old lifted the ball over Trapp and into the far corner to complete the Champions League's greatest-ever comeback. Getty The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG Sergi Roberto was duly mobbed by his teammates, as scenes of pandemonium spread around the Nou Camp. Getty The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG Unai Emery, meanwhile, could not look. Getty The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG As our chief football writer Miguel Delaney wrote, the night was one of the sublime, the ridiculous, and the historic. Getty The story of Barcelona's incredible comeback against PSG Barcelona progress into the quarter-finals, along with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. Getty

One name on Spain’s team sheet ahead of their inaugural Group B game raised questions. Perhaps even confusion. Starting alongside Marcos Llorente, Real Madrid-owned and fresh off the back of a wonderful breakout LaLiga season with Alaves, and Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez in midfield, was something of a forgotten man.

Ahead sat their generation’s golden boy, who proved to be the evening’s hero, Marco Asensio. Three goals translated into a front cover on Madrid-based newspaper AS, where the 21-year-old stretched his arms wide while stood proudly on the edge of Gdansk’s main waterfront. He is going to be a world-class crack, the headline read.

Asensio won all the plaudits after his hat-trick on Sunday (AS)

But while one youngster makes a reputation for himself, another clings to maintaining his own. Even in success, there are casualties that fall for the cause.

Denis Suarez was Celades’ ‘surprise’ inclusion. After completing a €3.5-million-euro move to Barcelona from Villarreal in 2016, a result of a buy-out clause in his contract, he sought to provide some of the squad depth that Luis Enrique so desperately needed. But, alas, the fringe players’ collective inability to step up to the plate consistently ultimately cost Blaugrana dear. Real Madrid’s own rotation policy was a key ingredient for a double-winning season.

The 23-year-old bravely snatched Xavi’s number six shirt upon his return, but instead took his inspiration from Andres Iniesta. A midfielder who enjoys getting forward and did not have the clearest route to nailing down a first-team place in Barcelona’s plans.

That hope must be held in mind more fiercely than ever this month, as his international place and future is next to come under threat. The likes of Dani Ceballos, Carlos Soler and Mikel Merino wait in the wings, should expectations fail to be hit.

In the aftermath of a campaign that saw him make just 12 LaLiga starts, Denis Suarez is at risk of fading into the background as La Rojita’s more vibrant and bullish midfield talents come to the fore, at a time where new Barca coach Ernesto Valverde will be watching him closely.

“Personally, I’m feeling very good,” he explained calmly at Spain’s pre-match press conference in Gdynia on Monday, prefacing La Rojita’s tough group game against Portugal.

His performance against Macedonia was steady, competent and measured. Receive possession, drop a shoulder, look for a pass. Often, look for Marco Asensio. One of the cruellest lessons he may learn is to become a member of the supporting cast, and there is no shame in that. But as his position happens to be one of the most hotly contested in the Spanish under-21 set up, it may do him no good either.

Dani Ceballos, Real Betis’ brightest young talent, was injected into the same game as a substitute with half an hour left on the clock. Immediately, he tried to grab it by the scruff of the neck, spending far more time on the ball than usual, itching to impress. This was a midfielder who felt confident in his own ability, who believed that he had the quality to be another star to add to Spain’s under-21 constellation. Hungry and unafraid of treading on others to get to the top.

“Tomorrow, I hope to have a good game, but above all the victory is most important. I came to this tournament thinking about the team, individually we have a lot of quality,” Denis went on, in front of the media.

One of the cruellest lessons Suarez may learn is to become a member of the supporting cast (AFP/Getty Images)

“This is an especially important tournament for me, after a tough second half to the season at Barcelona.”

In normal circumstances, outside of the under-21 European Championship’s short time span, it is not necessary to be the star. In a golden generation such as Spain’s, however, being one may not even be enough. All opinion becomes relative to the brightest, with the rest’s own individual qualities dwarfed, or at least at risk of being underplayed, by their presence.