De Gea Is Very Prepared For Messi – Emilio Alvarez

Manchester United goalkeeping coach, Emilio Alvarez has said David De Gea has completed a “super special preparation” as he readies himself to face Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in Tuesday’s UCL clash at the Camp Nou.

Manchester United have to overturn a 1-0 loss and Messi, who has netted 44 goals in all competitions this season, was rested in Barca’s 0-0 draw at Huesca as the Spanish side prepared for this very important tie.

Alvarez said to 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.”

On if De Gea might go back to Spain, he said, “He is very motivated to play in Spain,”

“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.”