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Leeds goalkeeper Perri says Wembley will feel like the Maracanã ahead of Chelsea cup tie

·By Junior Yekini
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Lucas Perri says stepping out at Wembley on Sunday will feel like playing at the Maracanã, as the Leeds United goalkeeper savours the prospect of an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea having grown up watching English football from Brazil.

Perri has been the hero of Leeds' cup run, saving two penalties in the shootout win over West Ham United in the quarter-final — his second such moment of the campaign after also denying Birmingham City in the fourth round on spot kicks.

"I'm happy to help the team with the opportunities that I've got, and we're looking forward to the semi-final of course," he said. "It will be like playing at the Maracanã, so yeah, it's going to be an incredible experience. I remember watching the FA Cup, the Premier League and the whole of English football. I know the importance of the competition."

Perri, who joined Leeds from Lyon last summer for £15 million, has had a split-season role — Karl Darlow has started in the Premier League since January following a pair of errors from the Brazilian, but head coach Daniel Farke has kept Perri in the FA Cup throughout, and described the decision on Sunday's goalkeeper as "quite easy."

The 27-year-old could face familiar faces in the Chelsea lineup. He trained with João Pedro and Estevão Willian when called into the Brazil squad for the first time last September. Estevão is now ruled out through injury.

"They're incredible players. They're very good, and I had the opportunity to train with them and the national team, so yes, it will be a fantastic game — and we're going to have to be at our best."