Chelsea may not be as good as they used to be but even a makeshift line-up was strong enough to put them in touching distance of the Champions League semi-finals last night.
There was as little to fear from Benfica as Didier Drogba allegedly indicated, the side that helped eliminate Manchester United producing arguably one of the most toothless performances ever witnessed in a quarter-final home leg.
Roberto Di Matteo’s gamble of resting six players – including the veterans who inspired the historic last-16 comeback against Napoli – therefore paid off, with Salomon Kalou’s second-half winner putting Chelsea on course for a sixth semi-final in nine years.
The fact the Blues look set to finish in the top four in Europe is all the more remarkable considering they are unlikely to do the same in the English Premier League.
Di Matteo’s selection invoked memories of Andre Villas-Boas’s doomed starting XI in the away leg against Napoli but tiredness appeared to be a justification on this occasion.
It also arguably suggested Chelsea’s priority lay in ensuring they qualify for next season’s Champions League rather than win this year’s.
Benfica, though, may have interpreted it as disrespectful, having already taken offence at a perceived slight from Drogba when the quarter-final draw was made.
Surprisingly, the 65,000-capacity Estadio da Luz was far from full, something that was reflected by a strange atmosphere.
Juan Mata could have given Chelsea the lead on the hour mark. Petr Cech’s clearance went straight over the Benfica defence to Mata, who rounded the goalkeeper but hit the post from a narrow angle.
Chelsea scored the goal that mattered 15 minutes from time.
Ramires showed remarkable determination and no little skill down the right to release Fernando Torres, who burst into the box and kept his composure to square for Kalou and slide home.
In the other quarter-final, first leg yesterday, substitute Kaka sparkled and Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid finally broke down Cypriot underdogs Apoel in Nicosia.
The Brazil international was introduced in the 63rd minute and set up Benzema for a 74th-minute opener before tucking away fellow sub Marcelo’s excellent cutback eight minutes later.
France striker Benzema’s second gave the scoreline an emphatic look despite a mighty defensive effort by Apoel, whose giant-killing run has accounted for Lyon, Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk but who were outclassed last night.
Apoel lost key defender Marcelo Oliveira to injury inside 10 minutes after his standing leg twisted under him as he overcommitted in a tackle.
Mesut Ozil tested goalkeeper Dionisis Chiotis, with the hosts still down to 10 men before replacement centre-half Kaka – the namesake and compatriot of Real’s in-form schemer – could be introduced.
Benzema was guilty of a shocking miss in the 33rd minute when he hung a foot out at Cristiano Ronaldo’s low cross but stubbed the ball into the ground and it bounced over the bar much to Apoel’s relief.
Ailton lifted the home crowd with a wonderful solo run down the left before being fouled by Sergio Ramos, but the free-kick came to nothing.
Jose Mourinho was driven to a double change in an attempt to lift Real, introducing his own Kaka and Marcelo for Higuain and Coentrao.
Esteban Solari, the brother of former Real stalwart Santiago, stepped off the Apoel bench, but soon found his side trailing as the better-known Kaka crossed from the left and Benzema dived to head past Chiotis.
The keeper saved Ronaldo’s drive with his legs and then fumbled Kaka’s effort as Real sought a killer second goal.
And it duly arrived as Marcelo was caught in the box by Paulo Jorge but kept his balance and cut the ball back for Kaka to slot home.
Benzema tucked away Ozil’s inviting low pass in the last minute as Real put the tie to bed ahead of April 4’s return leg.
Quarter-finals
Played yesterday
Benfica 0
Chelsea 1
Kalou 75;
Apoel 0
Real Madrid 3
Benzema 74, 90; Kaka 82;
Second legs: April 4.
Playing today
Marseille vs B. Munich - 20.45
Milan vs Barcelona - 20.45
Second legs: April 3.