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Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz has apologised for celebrating scoring a goal against his former club Chelsea in the a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. Luiz, who left Chelsea for PSG last summer, scored the French side’s first equalizer as they came back twice in the match to knock the English team out of the Champion’s League by virtue of away goals.
The first leg of the round-of-16 tie between the two teams had ended 1-1 at Paris. The second leg at London turned into an ill-tempered affair as PSG’s star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off after 31 minutes.
Gary Cahill gave the home side the lead nine minutes from time, but former Chelsea employee Luiz equalized to take the match into extra-time. Luiz got caught in the emotion of the game and celebrated the goal violating the unwritten modern etiquette which requires players to refrain from celebrations after scoring against former clubs.
Luiz told Sky Sports, “I think we played a great game. When we lost Ibra, our best player, you say 'keep it simple.' Play the ball to feet and keep possession as we need to score to qualify. It was amazing tonight the spirit. Every single player gave everything.
“I finished at Chelsea and then I got a great opportunity from PSG -- they gave me a great opportunity to continue my career and I was very happy at Chelsea and won titles here but I finished and then I respect everyone.
“It was good for me to score. I said before I didn't celebrate but there was so much emotion I cannot control and sorry because I celebrated because of the emotion but I am so happy to qualify.”
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho declared the Brazil international would not be missed after Luiz left the club. The 27-year-old has previously insisted that he did not carry any hard feelings towards his former manager’s quote.
Luiz also hailed the spirit shown by the reigning French champions, saying, “I'm very happy. It was difficult to lose Zlatan Ibrahimovic, one of our best players, so soon, but we kept our spirit and character and we continued playing. They scored first, but we always believed in our chances. I'm so happy to have qualified, because it's so difficult to go far in the Champions League.”
