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The Blues have travelled to eastern Ukraine ahead of their Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk this evening, just three days after their 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in London.
David Luiz, and Brazilian teammates Ramires and Oscar, have also endured a double-header of international fixtures prior to the weekend, following friendlies in Sweden and Poland for the Seleção.
The centre-back has admitted that although this travelling does affect fitness, it is part of the life of a professional footballer.
He said: “This is the life of a professional player, especially when you are in an international team. It is the top level and you have to be happy with it but you need to rest a lot to play well in all the games.
“Sometimes it is difficult but I am only 25 years old, so I can do it. I sleep a lot when we travel, and I rest between matches when I am at home.
“The legs can be heavy sometimes, and it can be difficult when you are playing against fresh players at the very top, so of course you have to rest in your free time.
“Then, when the game comes the excitement of it and the adrenalin help you to come through, and you can still focus on the matches, even though it is physically hard, especially in the Premier League.”
David Luiz also spoke of the importance of Chelsea’s Group E clash with Shakhtar this evening, which kicks-off at 7:45pm, when he could come up against some fellow Brazilians.
He added: “It is an important game in the group. Both teams are at the top and we want to keep our position.
“We are away so we know how difficult it will be and we cannot give the other team anything if we want to do well in the game.”
