Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 10y

Lucas: My time will come at PSG

Lucas Moura has told FIFA.com he intends to make the most of any chances that come his way to establish himself at Paris Saint-Germain.

Lucas, 22, has only intermittently lived up to the billing he had when he arrived in the French capital in January 2013 following his move from Sao Paulo.

Though the Brazil international made 36 league appearances last season, just 18 of those were in the starting XI, and while he has started both of PSG's Ligue 1 matches this season, Lucas acknowledged he still has a battle on his hands to remain first-choice in Laurent Blanc's thinking.

"One thing is certain: everyone wants to play and be in the starting line-up. No-one likes being on the bench," he said. "We have a very competitive team here. Places in the team come at a high price. There are established, talented and experienced players. But I feel good about myself, I'm calm.

"I know my time will come. I wait while working hard in training and in matches.The most important thing is to be alongside these players, be in the team and fight to win trophies. When my chance comes, I'll be able to seize it."

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic likely to be sidelined for several weeks with a torso muscle injury sustained in Saturday's win over Bastia, Lucas, who was on target in the 2-0 victory, will need to be more potent than usual in front of goal in coming games.

PSG's talismanic Sweden international may even miss the club's opening Champions League group-stage game on 16/17 September.

Despite PSG's desire to improve on successive runs to the last eight of European football's top club competition, Lucas also emphasised the importance of Blanc's men meeting expectations on the home front.

"We're aware of our responsibilities. Of course, the Champions League is not only the dream of the president and the coach, but also that of the players," added Lucas, whose team have four points from their opening two Ligue 1 matches. "Having said that: we can't neglect the league. You cannot deny we are favourites: that would be hypocrisy.

"Nevertheless, we have to live up to that status on the pitch, and that's not as easy as everyone thinks. It's a very physical and hotly-contested league. We have to maintain our rhythm and work on both fronts. We have the players to do that.

"There is a climate of confidence at the start of the season, and we owe that to the coach and the president. We have missed out in the quarterfinals twice, to Barcelona and Chelsea respectively, but the most important thing is to continue playing at that level.

"PSG had not played in the competition for a number of years. Now it has to become a habit, we need to improve in this competition, soak up the atmosphere, and I'm sure we will have success."

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