Real Madrid back-up winger Lucas Vazquez said he had no fear about replacing the injured Cristiano Ronaldo in Tuesday night's goalless Champions League semi-final first leg at Manchester City.
Madrid had hoped that Ronaldo would recover from a thigh injury in time for the game, but the Portuguese superstar was unable to feature -- and coach Zinedine Zidane chose the 24-year-old former Castilla youth teamer ahead of more high profile options such as €80 million signing James Rodriguez or fans favourite Isco.
The Galician, who spent last year on loan at Espanyol, rarely threatened the City goal, but ran further than any player on the pitch -- a total of 13.37km -- in a tactical game which gave Madrid the better chances later on.
Speaking in the mixed zone afterwards, he said he had trusted in his own ability to be useful for the team, and was grateful for the faith Zidane had shown in him.
"It's no use being afraid of anything, and even less so in the world of football," Lucas said. "If you trust in your ability, things will work out well. The coach is the one who makes the decisions and I'm very grateful for the opportunities that he's giving me. Long may it continue."
Speaking after the game Zidane said he was "hopeful" that Ronaldo would be back fit in time for next Wednesday's second leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, but did not comment on reports that the 31-year-old had suffered a new more serious injury in trying to force his way back from the thigh strain he had picked up in the recent 3-0 La Liga win at home to Villarreal.
Ronaldo himself said on Spanish TV before Tuesday's game that he would have played had the game been a final, and Blancos midfielder Casemiro told reporters afterwards that his teammate had shown maturity in accepting that it was better not to take a risk so as to ensure he would be back at 100 percent soon.
"I'm sure that he'll play in the return leg," Casemiro said. "He's not a kid and he knows that it's better to miss one game, rather than be out for lots. I'm sure that he wasn't played so that he's raring to go in the coming games. We miss Cristiano, but those that played did a very good job. Whoever plays needs to be up for it and ready."