David
Luiz has described Maurizio Sarri as a "great human" and praised him for
sticking to his footballing principles during Chelsea's recent struggles.
Blues head coach Sarri came under intense pressure last month following a
string of poor performances and humiliating Premier League defeats at
Bournemouth and Manchester City.
The 60-year-old Italian was criticised for his possession-based 'Sarri-ball'
style of play and repetitive substitutions, but Chelsea have won their last
two games to relieve some of the pressure,
"You don't change your character because of the situation, I think you
change the situation," said Luiz, ahead of Thursday's Europa League last-16
first-leg clash with Dynamo Kiev.
"He's a great human, someone with the love and passion for football, someone
loving with people and trying to help everybody, and trying to give the best
advice.
"When you lose a game, like we did in Manchester (6-0), no one is going to
be happy and coming here joking around.
"He's a real person, and real people have feelings good and bad."
After sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd jeered Sarri during the FA Cup
loss to Manchester United last month, Chelsea responded with a positive
performance in the Carabao Cup final before eventually losing to Manchester
City on penalties.
The Blues have since beaten London rivals Tottenham and Fulham in the league
to boost their hopes of Champions League qualification through a top-four
finish.
Despite some modifications, Brazil defender Luiz dismissed suggestions that
Sarri had dispensed with his philosophy.
The 31-year-old also insists he and his team-mates are fully behind the
tactics.
"Change the style? I don't think so, the style didn't change," he said.
"We just adapted some moments of the game, like the line to have high
pressure or not.
"But our philosophy is to play from the back with possession and try to
control the game.
"For many years everybody said Chelsea were winning but never controlled the
game. Now we control the game and people say we don't win.
"Every player believes in his philosophy and everyone is giving 100 per cent
to achieve our goals."
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