http://global.espn.com/football/uefa-champions-league/story/3827003/man-uniteds-de-gea-has-done-super-special-preparation-for-messi-coachManchester United goalkeeping coach Emilio Alvarez says David De Gea has done "
super special preparation" before facing Barcelona's Lionel Messi in Tuesday's Champions League encounter at Camp Nou.
Asked about the challenge of taking on a player like Messi, Alvarez told Cadena Ser radio:
"We do some things different. I wouldn't lie if I said we do a super special preparation. I already worked in La Liga for many seasons with David [De Gea] as well and before with other keepers. I can't deny that there is a particularity regarding Leo [Messi] in which in the end, you try to offer tools and data to the keeper so that it can help him."But we all know that no matter how much you study Leo, or if you have the tools and those are good, talent is always above anything else. I do work that is more specific with De Gea which I obviously can't reveal, but
we do some things different and we include other things than with respect to another game as we are facing Leo."Alvarez added that De Gea, who started his career at Atletico Madrid and is Spain's No. 1, is very much looking forward to the challenge.
"He is very motivated to play in Spain," he said. "To play against a Spanish team in Spain is always a matter of pride for De Gea and the other Spanish players in the team.
Whoever know David well, knows that his biggest ability is to abstract himself from any type of uncomfortable and stressful situations. He is very strong mentally. "
10 hours later.
"Manchester United were dumped out of the Champions League by Barcelona after a David De Gea howler contributed to a 3-0 defeat at Camp Nou."