David Luiz: It’s difficult hearing the UCL anthem without participating

Chelsea defender David Luiz admits he has struggled to come to terms with the club’s Champions League absence.
After Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, the Blues remain three points clear of their rivals in fourth, with fifth-placed Arsenal now two points back.
Chelsea have missed out on playing in Eruope’s leading club competition twice in the last three seasons and Luiz admits it is vital the club don’t fall short again.
He added: “It is important for our club. We are a big club and big clubs want to play in the Champions League.
“I have missed it. It’s great to be there, to try to play against the best teams in the world, the best players, the best coaches. Everybody has been missing that.
“I watch a lot of football, but when the Champions League anthem comes on I miss it. It’s hard, but we have to be humble and understand that we didn’t do the job one year ago and we had to pay the consequences. We have to be mature enough to understand that.

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“Was the draw at United a bit step to making the top four? Yes. It is an important point for Chelsea.
But we still have to think game by game.
“The last few games for everybody has been tough. People have started to joke that no-one wants to be in the top four because everyone is losing points.
“It’s not easy for anybody. We saw Manchester City fighting for the title at Burnley and it was difficult for them until the end.
“Sometimes people forget to respect the other sides, they train every day, they have a philosophy, have great players, great coaches, great fans and they try to fight also.”