CHELSEA were beaten 3-2 against Rubin Kazan at the Luzhniki Stadium in the early Europa League quarter-final but progressed 5-4 on aggregate.
Protective mask-hearing Fernando Torres put them in front thanks to this tidy finish on five minutes and Marcano drew the Russians level early in the second half butVictor Moses and Gokdeniz Karadeniz then got their names on the scoresheet.
Chelsea fans will forever associate the Luzhniki with their team’s painful penalty shoot-out defeat to Manchester United in the 2008 Champions League final, although this occasion had a very different feel to it, with the 80,000-capacity venue barely a quarter full.
That queasy feeling will have surfaced again as Rubin’s Ivan Marcano headed in a cross from compatriot Pablo Orbaiz six minutes into the second half. Victor Moses settled Chelsea nerves and restored their lead on the night, playing a one-two with Ramires and then curling a shot into the net from 15 yards.
That goal left the Russians needing to score four times without reply to rescue the tie.
Captain Gokdeniz Karadeniz did pull one back before Bebras Natcho converted a penalty after Cesar Azpilicueta was harshly penalised for a foul on Aleksandr Ryazantsev in the box.
That allowed Rubin to win the game on the night, but Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez was pleased to be in the semi-final draw.
“The scoreline doesn’t matter too much. We did a professional job and I am really pleased with the players,” he told ESPN television.
“Playing on this pitch and in that atmosphere was not easy, but the main thing for us was to do job.”
*Additional reporting - © AFP, 2013
Brilliant article. Good man.
Really enjoyed that. Thank you. Watched Pat a lot back in the day and he was a fabulous footballer. Excellent golfer also. Thanks again.
In fairness, these long-read articles on former League of Ireland players tend to be very good, if League of Ireland is your thing. But any chance of the 42/Journal ever doing the same with former GAA and/or rugby players with equally interesting stories to tell?
@Jumperoo: ahhh now one LOI article a fortnight about something very rare (ie successful sides) aint gonna break the GAA monopoly on the 42. The interesting part of European games too might have more a pull then the all ireland aspect of the GAA story
Excellent article. I worked with Pat for over 20 years in John Player and never heard those stories. He is an amazing character and So modest. I’m delighted to say we remain good friends although both now retired and living miles apart
Superb story, what a career, really nice to read about what an impact Eoin Hand had on Irish football too. Keep up the good work.
These articles are outstanding… well done the journal.
Pat is a very modest guy ! I played against pat when he played for Wembley in cals park , he was a great lad and his brother in law was a great Wembley player also , who imo should have played league of Ireland football , but the bookmaker job took over lol , so many old memories of that era . Good luck with the golf pat , a legend .
Another brilliant and interesting write up.Pat Nolan may not be a name that is remembered much outside Limerick but in Limerick city,and county,he’s very fondly remembered as a player who would do everything possible to help Limerick win.He is a thorough gentleman as well and fantastic company to be with.I’m delighted that the 42 also thought that he deserved his own write up as they are probably the only ones who could have persuaded Pat to tell some of these stories.
Great article, brought back some happy memories of heading to the Markets Field as a young teenager to watch that great Limerick United team play.
Superb article. As a limerick man too young to remember these days I really enjoyed this. Thank you!!
Knew Limerick has a good history but nothing like this. Very insightful into the magnificent heights and experiences both Pat and Limerick achieved and it really shows what can happen with sound foundations and quality management anything is possible.
Great article.Pat stayed away from the smokes while Maradonna took the Devils dandruff.
Lovely footballer great career well done Pat!
I’ve had the pleasure of Nolano’s friendship for many years… a truly modest gentleman and a great ambassador for Limerick football. I caddied for Pat when he played in the South of Ireland at Lahinch Golf Club and when you consider that he was a “late starter” he reached a very high standard in a short period of time. Delighted to see his story told by the Journal. Long overdue.
Great story. Pat is a genuine nice man. Showed his talent as a sportsman with Limerick FC and when that was finished gave the Golf his attention and played that game to a very high standard and just as important he honoured and respected the game itself.
That Kevin Fitz story is gas, they were a great outfit.
Superb article, really enjoyed it, well done
Still have my ticket from the Real Madrid game in Lansdowne Rd, great days indeed
Excellent article excellent player
very good storys i remember those days
A great interview Pat.The more I read the prouder I am to have played alongside you with Wembly.You did not play in goals because no one else would you were between the posts because you were GOOD.Now thank God ye were beaten by Real Madrid because if ye had won we would have been beaten in the final by Liverpool.And I do not know where my loyalties would have been in that match.Pat Nolan you are a legend and don’t you forget it.
Another great LOI piece. T
Dead right about the decision to play against Real in Lansdowne – really bugs me when I see Irish clubs taking this option. You never see the opposition doing it.
Lovely interview with a very modest and talented man he left the golf out and he’s very good at that also