Lucas Vazquez wants more opportunities in Real Madrid lineup

There are few tougher places to break into the first team than Real Madrid, but Lucas Vazquez is making significant strides after his Champions League semi-final selection on Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo was unavailable for the Manchester City trip due to a thigh issue, but rather than selecting costly crafters James Rodriguez and Isco in his stead, manager Zinedine Zidane opted for the 24-year-old Castilla graduate.

Vazquez was fairly ineffectual in the dour 0-0 draw in northwest England, but was grateful for his chance, stressing that he won't be overawed when trusted in the senior XI.

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"It's no use being afraid of anything, and even less so in the world of football," Vazquez 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."

Many accounts suggest that Ronaldo will be available for the second meeting at the Santiago Bernabeu, meaning that Vazquez will likely assume his familiar role on the substitutes' bench. The winger, who spent last season on loan at Espanyol, has made 23 appearances for Los Blancos in La Liga, but only eight of those were starts.

"I'm sure that he'll play in the return leg," midfielder Casemiro said of Ronaldo. "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."

If Real Madrid overcomes City in the second leg next Wednesday, it will be in its first final since 2014, when it overcame Atletico Madrid by a 4-1 scoreline after extra time.