Lucas Beraldo omitted by Brazil and used sparingly at PSG, chance to start in Coupe de France | OneFootball

Lucas Beraldo enters the cup with a point to prove after a difficult first half at Paris Saint-Germain. According to L'Équipe, with Willian Pacho rested, the 22-year-old should start against N3 Fontenay-le-Comte at 21:00 in Nantes.

He was Brazil’s odd man out during November’s international break. Aside from injured regulars Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi, Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé, he was the only Paris player usually called up who was not selected.

All his minutes have come in Ligue 1, nine appearances, eight starts, with none in the Champions League. He is the only registered outfield player, not club-trained, in that position.

When used, he has not shifted Luis Enrique’s thinking. Showings at Strasbourg, 3-3 on 17 October, and at Le Havre, 3-0 on 22 November, highlighted concerns over his defensive understanding.

His camp reject doubts about his ability to establish himself or any wish to leave, even though last summer the five-cap international sought more minutes elsewhere through intermediaries. They say playing for PSG is a privilege, that since arriving in January 2024 he has already won almost every possible title at his age, and that, for now, he is focused on daily work and helping PSG reach their objectives.

A winter exit is not considered current at PSG unless a very significant offer arrives. After a left calf issue in early December, Saturday could bring Beraldo back into the starting XI. The absences of Kang-in Lee, thigh, and Bradley Barcola, muscle fatigue, should hand chances to others.

Source: L'Équipe