David Luiz spoke to Chelsea TV in the wake of our 1-0 defeat against Steaua Bucharest, and is hoping the team remains focused during an intense period of games.
The Blues will look to overturn the deficit in next week’s return leg at Stamford Bridge having fallen to defeat courtesy of a Raul Rusescu penalty in the first half at the National Arena.
David Luiz, who played on the left of the central defensive pairing alongside John Terry in a bid to combat the threat of Adrian Popa, acknowledged it had been a tough night.
‘Me and JT have worked together for a long time. That was the plan because their number 77, the right winger, was quick, so I’m a bit younger than JT so I needed to run more,’ he told Chelsea TV with a smile.
‘It was a difficult game on a difficult pitch. We couldn’t play proper football, the way Chelsea like to play. We couldn’t play out from the back or take risks, but we still have a second leg and we need to win it to stay in the competition.
‘Steaua are a good team, they’ve played together for a long time. They have strong support and if they weren’t a good team they wouldn’t still be in the competition.’
Having completed our 50th match of the season in Bucharest, the games keep coming, and next up is the small matter of a sixth round FA Cup tie away at Manchester United on Sunday.
David Luiz is relishing the opportunity to bounce back from our Europa League setback, and hopes United’s Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid earlier in the week will play into our hands.
‘We have three competitions left to play in and we need to be focused for all the games,’ said the 25-year-old.
‘Great players like to play in great games. I’m eager to play in this match against a top team with amazing players and a great coach, we need to be ready.
‘I hope it affects them, they lost the game, but Manchester United have a strong mentality and experienced players, it will be another difficult game.’