David Luiz: Chelsea don't have time to cry

David Luiz believes Chelsea could restore their European reputation in the Europa League following the “embarrassment” of becoming the first Champions League holders to crash out of the competition before Christmas.

Chelsea we’re last night eliminated from the Champions League, regardless of their 6-1 win at home to Nordsjaelland, after Juventus’ away win against Shakhtar Donetsk put the Italian champions through.

Chelsea finished the group in third place, losing out to second-placed Shakhtar Donetsk by an away goal, and are now consigned to playing in the Europa League.

Luiz said: “The Europa League is glamorous for me. I don’t have this title so I want to win it.

“I look to the Europa League like I did the Champions League because I don’t have this medal.

“We can do great things in this competition.”

The Brazilian, who will miss Chelsea’s first Europa League match after incurring a ban for his latest yellow card against the Danish outfit, added: “You have great games in the Europa League. There are great teams in this competition.

“Chelsea don’t have this competition so they need to win this title.”

The defender was asked how the dressing room reacted following the clubs elimination from the Champions League, he responded: “There was embarrassment in the dressing room and also sadness,

“We won the Champions League last season and to get knocked out after the group stage is a great disappointment.

“This is a big club and big clubs deserve to play in big games.

“The best games in the world are in the Champions League.”

“I am sad but football is quick and we have another game in two days and another big competition in one week.

“I can’t spend three or four nights crying, you have to look to the next match.

“We have a difficult game on Saturday so need to change our mood.

“Chelsea need to play in the Champions League every year and the players have this inside our heads.”

Chelsea will qualify for the Champions League, no doubt about it. As for playing in the Europa League, I can’t imagine Chelsea concentrating on it too much, not until the latter stages anyway. It would be nice to win it but we have to concentrate on the Premier League for now. Do we really care about the Europa League?