#TBT: DAVID'S DEBUT

Roma v AC Milan will always bring back memories of Pato and Beckham. Everyone thought that the English national would need two or three months in order to get back in shape and play for Milan, but Beckham was ready right away. A true professional full of bravery. Carlo Ancelotti had only met David Beckham once before the Christmas break, on the occasion of AC Milan 5-1 at San Siro.

Then the matches at the start of the winter break. Beckham’s presence at Milan in the 2008/09 season seemed a mere indulgence to most, but Carlo Ancelotti soon realised that the English hero took his game very seriously. Due to this, it was Beckham who played a key role in the first half of Milan’s win on penalties over Hamburg at the Dubai Football Challenge in January 2009.

Becks’ appearance in Dubai was just the start, he played well in his position and had proven the value he could add to Ancelotti’s side. It was this that led him into the starting line-up at Roma’s Stadio Olimpico after the winter break was over. Roma started the game well and took the lead immediately through Vucinic, but Milan kept on fighting and made a comeback to take the lead themselves. Two great goals from Pato on a day where the Brazilian was fast, skilful, and simply unstoppable.

The game however didn’t end in Milan’s favour as Vucinic grabbed another late on to make it 2-2. But Beckham played almost the full 90 minutes, unlike in Dubai where he was replaced by Mathieu Flamini at half-time. This itself showed how influential David would go on to become in Carlo Ancelotti’s side that season.

The official PUMA match kits for the 2019/20 season are available in the AC Milan Online Store!