David Luiz, Gary Cahill confident of playing Champions League final
Kids all over the world dream of playing in the Champions League final, and David Luiz is no different.
- Associated Press
- Updated: May 17, 2012 06:51 PM IST
Kids all over the world dream of playing in the Champions League final, and David Luiz is no different.
Luiz looks set to recover from a hamstring injury in time to line up for Chelsea against Bayern Munich on Saturday, fulfilling a long-held ambition for the Brazil defender.
"This is the best game in the world for big teams and I am so happy to play this final," Luiz said. "All the players in the world want to play this game, and me too. I want to play, I'm counting the days and the minutes.
"When I was a kid in Brazil, it was my dream and now I get my chance to play in the Champions League final."
With captain John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic suspended, Chelsea coach Roberto Di Matteo is hoping Luiz and Cahill both recover from injury to fill gaps in his defense.
Luiz is so confident that he will be fit to play that his parents will fly to Germany to watch the match at Bayern's Allianz Arena.
"Everyone will stop to watch the game," Luiz said. "My father and my mother will come here to support the club and I'm happy to have my family here."
The defender said Chelsea's task would be made far harder by the fact that the final is being held at Bayern's home ground - a decision made long before the teams began this season's campaign.
Di Matteo, though, isn't so sure the venue will work to Bayern's advantage.
"It may be because they know a little bit the environment and the pitch," Di Matteo said. "But on the other hand, it may be a little bit more pressure."
Cahill, who was selected on Wednesday for England's European Championship squad, is confident he will be fit to line up alongside Luiz.
"I always had the goal to be fit for this game and thankfully it has healed quickly," Cahill said. "We have spent every day trying to get it right and the work has paid off. With the training this week under my belt I should be ready to go.
"I have missed the games, which isn't ideal but I don't think at this stage of the season you lose too much fitness. It is not like I've been out for months."
And he has no concerns that the pair will be rusty after their spells on the sidelines.
"I think it will be all right," Cahill said. "I have played with him before and he is a fantastic player. It's easier playing with good players. He is a Brazilian international. I don't see it being a problem."