• Ligue 1

Beckham set for first PSG start

ESPN staff
February 26, 2013
David Beckham made a winning debut for PSG as they brushed aside Marseille in Ligue 1 © Getty Images
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David Beckham will make his first start for Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday after Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the former England captain will be in his starting line-up to face Marseille in the Coupe de France.

Beckham, 37, made his first appearance for the club he joined in January in the 2-0 Ligue 1 defeat of Marseille on Sunday, coming off the bench to replace Javier Pastore 14 minutes from time.

Asked at full-time whether Beckham would feature in Wednesday's round of 16 tie, Ancelotti had said the ex-Manchester United, Real Madrid and Los Angeles Galaxy star was a potential replacement for the suspended Marco Verratti; a switch he confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

"Beckham will start. He's capable of playing a full game," Ancelotti said, before adding that French international centre-back Mamadou Sakho would return after injury and Nicolas Douchez would take over from the rested Salvatore Sirigu in goal as PSG go for a third victory in the fourth Classique of the season.

The Italian, whose team owed much to a stellar display from Sirigu to secure their weekend win, insisted familiarity with his club's most bitter foes would not breed contempt.

"There's never a problem of motivation in a Clasico. Against Marseille, every game's important. There'll be no slacking off. If we lose, it'll be because Marseille were stronger," he said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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