Fluminense's young Argentinian midfielder Manuel Lanzini believes the Rio de Janeiro club can still defend their Brazilian Campeonato title, despite an inconsistent first half to the season.
The Tricolor have struggled to string back-to-back wins together in since the start of the campaign and they currently sit eighth in the table - 12 points behind leaders Corinthians.
Their most recent turnaround in form saw Flu halt a two-match losing run by recording an impressive 2-1 win at Sao Paulo, with Lanzini scoring the opener after just 12 minutes.
The 18-year-old Argentinian - who is on a season-long loan from River Plate - had never scored in professional football before and now hopes he can help Flu challenge for top spot.
"You never lose hope," he said. "The championship is not over, there are 18 rounds remaining and we are not that far from the top so anything is possible."
"There are always things to improve. I believe we have been playing well but not getting the right results and that changed against Sao Paulo."
With last season's Argentine hero Dario Conca no longer at the club, Lanzini is seen by many as a natural replacement, but he refused to be drawn on any comparisons.
" I do not like to be compared to anyone. Conca is an idol here, he made history and won. I am still building my career," he commented.
Reflecting on his first goal, the attacking midfielder said that he was glad to have helped the team and dedicated the strike to his mother.
" I wish I had scored before at River, but it has happened now. The celebration was for my mother, who always supported me from the stadium in Argentina. It was a goal to help the team and I am glad to have helped us get an important win," he said.
