David Beckham has asked PSG to play like Manchester United of 1999, the historic team that won the Champions league game against Juventus with a miraculous comeback in extra time. Just as the United overcame the adversity with a 2-0 deficit in the second leg of the semifinal against the Juventus, Becks is confident that PSG can beat Barcelona today.
At that time, Beckham and co took a harrowing draw at Old Trafford to Italy and with only 10 minutes of play that was the incentive Ferguson needed to be present at the marker and make history with a 3-2 comeback 3-2 which gave them the ticket to the final at Camp Nou.
The situation is more complicated for the French outfit tonight. Though the match ended in a tie, the Catalans have two precious away goals and a draw is enough for them to secure the place in the semi’s. However, Beckham believes his team can overcome the hurdle and has been trying to install the mentality of the Red Devils on his peers, in order to enter the semifinal of the highest European club competition.
PSG’s Argentinian Javier Pastore who takes Becks as an example and a motivator gives us an idea of how Beckham is the dressing room since his arrival.
“David has been telling us that we have everything it takes to progress — and that we just need to believe that anything is possible. He has achieved everything and played in every big game there is to play in.
“He has been telling us a similar situation when Manchester United drew at home with a great Juventus team many years ago and needed to go and win in Italy. It was a special Juventus team with Zinedine Zidane, Edgar Davids, Pippo Inzaghi, Didier Deschamps and many more. David said that Manchester went 2-0 down early — but they had the belief and went on to win the game and then the Champions League.”
Pastore added: “David tells the stories to create belief in the team and it works. It is so funny when he tells his stories in the dressing room. I look around and all the players are silent just listening to everything he has to say — it is like a teacher reading to his kids in class.” concluded Pastore.