Chelsea's reversion to type feels almost complete. Not only is this club reliant once more upon the key members of its old guard, a core clique accustomed to carrying the team but whose authority had felt challenged by André Villas-Boas, but Roberto Di Matteo is now even leaning upon a substratum of those long-serving professionals. Players such as Paulo Ferreira and Salomon Kalou were forgotten men, apparent outcasts counting down the days to prospective summer departures. Suddenly they feel relevant again.

Nothing better illustrates the pragmatist in Di Matteo than his team selection at the Estádio da Luz on Tuesday night. Chelsea had appeared drained against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, hungover from the reality check delivered by midweek defeat at Manchester City and with the adrenaline rush provided by the interim first-team coach's appointment receding into grogginess. The Italian had recognised the need to "freshen up" and "energise" his team, even if few envisaged the introduction of the 33-year-old Ferreira, without an appearance all calendar year, or Kalou as obvious solutions.

Yet on the basis that the team have retreated back to basics – seeking out the solidity and strength of old rather than anything more scintillating – there was probably very little risk, other than a lack of match sharpness, in calling upon personnel steeped in what the Chelsea of the last five years have tended to do best. Ferreira rarely wavered from his task to quell Bruno César, offering balance, poise and reassurance. Kalou pilfered the game's only goal. Di Matteo has suggested others underutilised to date will be needed in the months ahead. There remains the possibility that his team could face 14 games over the final seven weeks of the campaign, with a particularly congested period already upon them. His is not a revelatory strategy: if you have the players, why not simply use them?

Chelsea are having to think short-term in order to contemplate a more promising future, with Champions League qualification for next term a priority. Di Matteo is out of contract in a little over three months' time, so this is no time to shun anyone capable of contributing. Even so, his diplomatic approach still implies tacit criticism of Villas-Boas, whose brief to reshape the playing staff had bluntly forced the popular Alex and Nicolas Anelka out of the club, and Kalou, Florent Malouda and Ferreira to the fringes. The stand-in has spoken individually to his players and, where once mention of rotation sparked mutiny, now there is acceptance for the collective good.

"His idea is to give the opportunity for everyone to show they want to play for the club and give 100%," said Kalou. "That is how you get everybody behind you and how you get the team to work together."

The Ivorian began two Premier League matches under Villas-Boas – the first games of the Portuguese's tenure – only to slip out of favour with his contract due to expire at the end of June. The same rules did not apply to Didier Drogba. "Maybe André was building a new team and he was thinking I wasn't part of the future of the club," said Kalou, who has started four games under Di Matteo. "I was told because I didn't sign the contract I was not allowed to play. I respect every manager's choice.

"You want to be involved more, to help the team win games and show that you're a better player than people think. Sometimes I feel the club never gave me the opportunity to show what I can do. That is a really big frustration for me. But it's not about going to [the manager] and asking why I'm not playing. It's about showing it in training and when you have the opportunity to play. Robbie gave me that opportunity against Benfica. He is here to make the team work well so he is giving the chance to everyone."

Villas-Boas was working towards a future without these players and, even in pre-season, had privately expressed some frustration that clearing such high-earners from the wage bill was far from a straightforward process. Yet, once transfer windows had shut, casting such experienced personnel completely to the periphery – their participation limited to warming the bench, the Carling Cup or, at best, the odd cameo – now looks wasteful. Malouda is contracted for a further 15 months and is expected to move to the Middle East in the summer, but he is sure to contribute in what remains of Di Matteo's tenure. Ferreira, too, has earned himself more opportunities with his display in Lisbon.

"I was a bit surprised [to be selected] because I'd not been playing for a while, and for a game of this importance, a quarter-final … I wasn't expecting that," said the full-back. "But I have been working hard every day, being as much of a professional as I can to be in condition if this happened so I could help the team. I played 80 minutes, gave everything. I know I can be better in physical terms, but I had to play with intelligence. I don't need to prove to anyone that I can play here, but I'm happy to have shown I'm still available to help."

Branislav Ivanovic, who had failed a fitness test on the morning of the Benfica match, may struggle to feature at Aston Villa on Saturday, which could offer the veteran a further outing. Regardless, there will be chances to come. Chelsea may be cast adrift in the title race but, given the pressure to return to the top four, they are the only Premier League team fighting on three fronts. April brings the return leg against the Portuguese, potentially two matches against either Milan or Barcelona, derbies against Fulham, Arsenal and Queens Park Rangers in the league, a visit from Wigan and an FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur. The logjam may be mouthwatering, but it will be emotionally and physically draining. Di Matteo will need all hands to the pump.