Past pen horror won’t faze Chelsea’s Spanish star

BENFICA’S Pablo Aimar believes former team-mate David Luiz stands between him and a second Euro triumph.

Aimar, 33, won the UEFA Cup with Valencia under Rafa Benitez nine years ago.

Now interim Chelsea boss Benitez and his Blues, including Luiz, await in tomorrow’s Europa League final.

Aimar said: “David has all the quality to be the team leader. We need to nullify him to win.”

JUAN MATA is ready to put himself back on the spot if Chelsea need another shootout to win the Europa League final.

Mata missed a penalty in last year’s Champions League final shootout win over Bayern Munich but would still take another against Benfica tomorrow.

But the Spanish playmaker would rather be spared the agony of extra-time in Amsterdam as he prepares for his 132nd game in just two years.

Mata, 25, said: “Last year in Munich was one of the greatest memories in my life and now we have the chance to win another European trophy.

“It is not easy for any team to reach successive European finals and we’ll try to feel the same emotions as last year.

 “If it should go to penalties again, I will have no problem taking one. Obviously I wanted to score in Munich but we still won.

 “Even after missing, I didn’t think it was over because I had confidence in Petr Cech.

 “It was hard to go out of the Champions League this year.

 “But the closer we’ve got to winning the Europa League, the more important it has become to us.

 “Benfica will be very tough to beat but I hope it will be a good game and we can celebrate a new trophy.”

Mata has already played 70 games this season for club and country following the 61 he crammed into his first year at Stamford Bridge.

Even after Sunday’s Premier League finale against Everton, he flies to America for two friendlies against Manchester City before June’s Confederations Cup duty with Spain in Brazil.

Mata added: “I don’t feel as tired as I did in the middle of the season because we’re close to a trophy and it’s easy to be focused.

 “Achieving another title with Chelsea and winning the Confederations Cup against Brazil would be the perfect summer.”

And Mata’s team-mate David Luiz shares his desire for Euro glory.

The former Benfica defender insisted: “When you win one big title you’re hungry for more.

 “Last year, I ate beef and now I have chicken.”

Even the controversy at Luiz’s part in the sending-off of Rafael in the recent 1-0 win at Manchester United cannot wipe the smile from the Brazilian, 26.

He added: “I didn’t laugh at Rafael getting sent off — I was smiling before the ref showed a card.

 “I was laughing at the fans singing about Sideshow Bob.