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.

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.

Interim manager 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 late winner, the only goal of the game, putting Chelsea on course for a sixth semi-final in nine years.

And Di Matteo was delighted that his "risk" in starting Ivory Coast internationalist Kalou against Benfica reaped its reward.

Di Matteo said: "He's come into the team after a long spell out, he got the goal and had a great game. I didn't think it was a gamble but sometimes in life you have to take a little risk. With the fact we are playing all these games, it was important to select a team that had the energy for a high-tempo game. It's terrific, we couldn't have hoped for a better result.

"We went close on a number of occasions and kept a clean sheet. We looked good defensively again. They had some set-pieces and the keeper had a few saves to make but they were all from long range."

Kalou, who converted Fernando Torres' cross in the 75th minute, added: "It's a good result, the away goal is very important.

"You want to play every game but you have to respect the manager's decision. He gave me a chance and I have to show it on the pitch, so I'm happy to get the goal.

"The most important thing is we are ahead and now we have to be ready for the next game at home."

That Chelsea appear on track to finish in the top four in Europe is all the more remarkable considering they are unlikely to do the same in the Barclays Premier League.

Di Matteo's selection invoked memories of Andre Villas-Boas' doomed starting XI in the away leg against Napoli, but tiredness appeared to be a justification in Lisbon.

It also arguably suggested Chelsea's priority lies in ensuring they qualify for next season's Champions League rather than win this year's competition.

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.