David Luiz says Chelsea can pile on the misery for Fergie

Posted Thursday, March 07, 2013 by The Sun

DAVID LUIZ reckons Chelsea can use the sadness in Manchester United’s hearts to pile on the misery for Alex Ferguson.

Brazil defender Luiz is convinced United will suffer a Euro hangover in Sunday’s Old Trafford FA Cup quarter-final following their Champions League exit.

He said: “It’s difficult when you have been knocked out of an amazing competition like the Champions League because your confidence is not the same.

“The happiness in Manchester United’s hearts will not be there and Chelsea can use this to win our game on Sunday. Maybe it gives us an advantage.

“United will be playing at home but some players and supporters will be thinking ‘it’s not the Champions League’ and it will be difficult for them to come in with the same form.”

Chelsea’s players have been ordered to put their energies into securing a top-four finish in the Prem.

But Luiz still wants to lift another trophy and will not be holding back against Steaua Bucharest in tonight’s Europa League last-16 first leg.

He added: “Everyone at Chelsea knows we have to stay in the top four so we can play in the Champions League again next season.

“But I also want to win the titles we’re going for.

“I don’t go into a Europa League game and think ‘I don’t care about this’.

“I have never won this competition so I want to feel what it’s like to win this title.

“I want to win it just as much as I did the Champions League last year.

“For me, it’s another European title.”

Boss Rafa Benitez is set to shuffle his pack again tonight with Juan Mata, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Ramires and Demba Ba all likely to be saved for Sunday’s Cup clash.

And Luiz feels players should not complain about squad rotation — despite skipper John Terry’s recent disagreement with Benitez over being left out.
Luiz said: “No one wants to be on the bench or out of the squad.

“I don’t like it but I understand that sometimes you need to pick other players.

“If you don’t want to be part of a team, play in every game and just do your own thing, then maybe you should play tennis.”

But Benitez admits it is not easy for players to accept being left out.

He said: “We have to progress as much as we can in every competition.

“The players realise what they have to do and the hardest part of my job is to convince them that they cannot play in every single game.

“When everyone is fit, it’s difficult to tell some players they will be on the bench or not in the squad.”

CHELSEA (likely): Cech, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Bertrand, Mikel, Luiz, Oscar, Hazard, Benayoun, Torres.