Reflections on Chelsea's 3-2 Defeat to Rubin Kazan

Chelsea and their fans might be reflecting that if you must lose a game of football, it might as well be by a one-goal margin in the second leg of a European tie after you won the first match by two goals.

Similarly, if you must lose a match 3-2 after being 2-1 up with just half an hour to play (an always rather annoying experience), it might as well be in the second leg of a European tie after you won the first match by two goals.

So, all in all, the Blues won’t be crying too much about their defeat on Thursday in Moscow against Rubin Kazan. They are, after all, through to the semifinals of the Europa League and remain the only English side left in European competition.

On the other hand, Rafa Benitez and his men won’t be delighted either. It was a rather sloppy performance by the Blues in the Russian capital, with a couple of eminently avoidable goals conceded. The players will know they will have to up their game considerably if any silverware is to be paraded along Fulham Road come the end of the season.

Now, for more thoughts on the match and the semifinal draw, please read on.

1. Super Frankie Lampard

Perhaps because he has scored so many goals for Chelsea, there is a perception among some fans that all Frank Lampard does is precisely that: score goals. Those critics tend to understate his many other attributes, one of which is the ability to spot and deliver a defence-splitting pass from deep.

The pass Lamps drilled forward for Fernando Torres to score Chelsea’s opener was simply stupendous, and it was only just that such a brilliant ball was matched by an equally fine finish from the in-form Spanish striker.

Lampard was also involved in the Blues’ second goal, feeding Victor Moses who then played a clever one-two with Ramires before curling a delightful shot beyond the Rubin goalkeeper.

It was a shame, then, that Chelsea’s good attacking work was undone by some poor defending, with centre-backs John Terry and David Luiz being especially culpable. Mind you, nobody could fault the pair for Rubin’s winner—a soft penalty, ludicrously awarded by the Turkish referee.

Still, if you’re going to lose to a dodgy penalty it might as well be in the second leg of a European tie after you won the first match by two goals! 

2. Bye, Bye Newcastle and Tottenham

As predicted here last week, Chelsea fans are now singing “One Team in Europe!” following the sad exits from the Europa League of both Tottenham and Newcastle.

The Geordies, still without a major trophy since 1969 (i.e. a full decade even before Margaret Thatcher became UK Prime Minister—yes, it really is that long ago) limped out 2-4 on aggregate to Benfica  following a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park (or whatever they call the place these days).

Meanwhile, Tottenham drew 2-2 in Basel (4-4 on aggregate) and were plunged into a death-or-glory penalty shootout with the Swiss side. “I think Spurs will do it, I really do!” burbled Scotland manager Gordon Strachan, in his role as a match pundit on ITV.

At this point most viewers were probably thinking, “Uh-oh, that’s the kiss of death!"

And so it came to pass. Tottenham didn’t just lose the shootout, they were well and truly humiliated, going down 4-1. Of course, it didn’t help that the North Londoners had a 74-year-old in goal, who found shuffling over with his Zimmer frame to those sneakily placed Swiss shots right in the corner just a bit too tricky.

The most amusing sight, though, was of Emmanuel Adebayor running up to the penalty spot like a nervous horse in an Olympic showjumping competition, only to send his shot flying way over the bar.

After vintage moments like that, who can seriously argue that the fun-filled Europa League is a waste of time?

3. Chelsea in Europe: A Fantastic Recent Record

Chelsea’s overall record in Europe in the 10 seasons since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003 is extremely impressive. Obviously, the Blues won the Champions League last year and have reached the latter stages of the competition on numerous other occasions, while they still have a chance of raising the Europa League next month.

In fact, the West Londoners have the best record of any English football club in European competition over the last decade. If we award five points for winning the Champions League, four points for losing in the final, three points for losing in the semifinal, two points for losing in the quarterfinal and a point less for each of the same stages in the Europa League/UEFA Cup, we end up with the following table:

Chelsea                                     25 points* (1 trophy)

Manchester United                     18 points (1 trophy)

Liverpool                                    16 points (1 trophy)

Arsenal                                      13 points

Newcastle/Tottenham                  4 points

Fulham/Middlesbrough                3 points

Manchester City                         1 point

* Chelsea can still add to their points tally by reaching the final of the Europa League in 2013

4. Next Stop, Basel

Chelsea will probably be quite pleased to have drawn Basel in the semifinals of the Europa League. Yes, the Swiss side looked a decent attacking outfit in their two games against Tottenham and put away their penalties with aplomb, but they also appeared suspect defensively, conceding some soft goals against the North Londoners in both legs.

You suspect that two games with Benfica, who impressed while disposing of Newcastle with some ease, would have presented a far tougher challenge. The Blues will also be delighted to have avoided an arduous trip to Turkey to face Fenerbahce, after having already wracked up the air miles this season with long flights to the Ukraine, Japan, Romania and Russia.

Switzerland, though, has not proved a happy hunting ground for Chelsea in the past. Older fans will remember that it was in the land of cuckoo lands and fat cat bankers that the Blues surprisingly crashed out of the UEFA Cup in 2000 after losing 2-1 on aggregate to St. Gallen.

So, it would certainly be a mistake to underestimate Basel, despite the failings they exhibited against Tottenham.    

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