Beckham benched for Reims bout

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that David Beckham will not start for his side against Stade de Reims this weekend.

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that David Beckham will not start for his side against Stade de Reims this weekend.

The 37-year-old midfielder made his first start for the capital club in a 2-0 victory over Marseille at Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

PSG are top of Ligue 1 – four points ahead of Lyon and eight ahead of Marseille – but, with Champions League aspirations to consider, Italian Ancelotti wants to shuffle his squad.

“Beckham will not start,” the 53-year-old told reporters.

“The players who didn’t play on Wednesday will play. Thiago Motta won’t play on Saturday, Maxwell will rest, (Christophe) Jallet suffers from an injury and will not play.

“I’ll decide after training. We have lots of players fit, I do not have many problems. I will make changes again but I won’t take risks.”

Reims lie 17th in Ligue 1 but the former Chelsea and AC Milan coach warned against complacency, especially with Lyon lurking.

“The objective will not be easy,” Ancelotti added. “Reims are good right now. I don’t think Paris has an advantage by playing before Lyon, as they are pushing us from below.

“We will have to do our best and be ready for all upcoming games.”