Soccer

Lucas Moura: Spurs are able to win the Champions League

Lucas Moura wasn’t humbled by his full debut, and believes Tottenham Hotspur is able to capture the Champions League crown this season.

Lucas scored in his first Spurs start as they drew 2-2 at bottom-placed League One side Rochdale on Sunday, and the £25-million January signing from Paris Saint-Germain says he’s seen enough at his new employer to suggest it can go all the way in the continent’s leading club competition.

Related: Rochdale forces replay with Spurs thanks to 93rd-minute equaliser

“I am 25 years old but I think I gained a lot of experience with PSG and I think I can help Tottenham,” he told the Guardian’s Andy Hunter. “I think we have a lot of quality and a great structure and can arrive at the end of the season with a trophy. The Champions League is the most difficult cup but I think we have the capacity to win it if we always think in positives and always work hard.”

The Brazilian has pedigree in Europe. In the 2016-17 Champions League, only Toni Kroos and Dani Alves created more chances than Lucas, despite PSG bowing out at the round-of-16 stage. His FA Cup appearance against Rochdale also yielded his 18th goal involvement (12 goals, six assists) in his past 20 starts across all competitions for PSG and Tottenham.

Tottenham holds a slender advantage going into March 7’s reverse meeting with Juventus in the Champions League’s final 16, after completing a come-from-behind 2-2 draw in Turin last Tuesday.

“We did a big game against Juventus away. It was a good result in Italy and I am sure we can do a good game with our fans and continue. It’s always important to win,” Lucas said. “Every player wants to win trophies, to make history and I am here to make history with my new friends, my new teammates. I believe that because we have a lot of quality, a great structure – I am really impressed – and I think we can dream with the Champions League.”

Spurs were arguably enjoying their finest period under Mauricio Pochettino’s management prior to Sunday’s draw at Rochdale. Over five matches, Tottenham beat Manchester United, Newport County, and Arsenal, and recorded away draws at Liverpool and Juventus.

The north London outfit squeezes in a Crystal Palace trip, the Rochdale replay, and a visit from Huddersfield Town before the much-anticipated rematch with Juventus.