Florent Malouda admits teams are no longer scared of playing Chelsea and says the squad are starting to feel the strain of the club's lengthy injury list.
The Blues were facing a humiliating Champions League defeat at home against Slovakian minnows MSK Zilina, who were beaten 7-0 by Marseille in their last match in the competition, after falling behind in the first half to a goal from Babatounde Bello.
A side missing 10 first-team players due to injury or because they were being rested claimed a much needed win last night thanks to goals from Daniel Sturridge and Malouda.
Although Chelsea have qualified for the last-16 as Group F winners, their form is still a worry with three defeats in their last four Premier League games.
Winger Malouda said: "Have we lost the fear factor? Yes. Maybe teams have more confidence when they come here. Right now we have so many injuries and it's more difficult for us physically and mentally. It's a period of the season where the games are more difficult. You can recover better after you win which is why I'm so happy we beat Zilina. This is the moment when players have to come in and show their quality."
Salomon Kalou is confident Chelsea will be the team to beat when influential players such as John Terry and Frank Lampard are fit again.
The forward said: "When the injured players get back they'll bring their experience. They will bring back that anger a player has when he hasn't played for a while."
