Nicolas Anelka has warned Chelsea they will have to survive an assault on their senses in today's potentially explosive Champions League quarter-final first leg at Fenerbahce.
Avram Grant's star-studded side are regarded as favourites to see off Fenerbahce and advance to the semi-finals for the fourth time in five years.
But Anelka, who spent a season with the Turkish club, knows only too well that the atmosphere at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium can inspire his former teammates to raise their game to a higher level.
With Fenerbahce competing in the last eight of Europe's elite club competition for the first time there is certain to be a powderkeg atmosphere awaiting Chelsea in Istanbul.
Turkish fans have already raised the temperature ahead of the tie by posting provocative messages on Web sites claiming Chelsea will "burn in hell"
France striker Anelka expects Fenerbahce's crowd to be pumped-up to fever pitch, with the team following suit.
"It's going to be crazy inside the stadium. We will have to be careful because they play good football, as well, and they have many good players," he said. "To be here, at this stage, they have to be good. I'm not surprised they got this far because when I was there two years ago, we were already strong and unlucky not to get through the group."
Anelka's teammate Michael Essien has also experienced the unique experience at Fenerbahce. The Ghana midfielder won there during his time at Lyon and believes Chelsea can emulate that result today.
"We won both games when I played against them for Lyon so I have a good record and I hope we can keep that up. Their home ground is a special place and the atmosphere can be fantastic," Essien said.
"Their fans are very noisy so we will just have to close our ears, focus on our own game and do all we can to keep a clean sheet," he said.
Although Chelsea still harbor ambitions of overhauling Manchester United in the Premier League title race, their more realistic goal is to finally reach the Champions League final.
Grant knows a place in this year's final in Moscow would enhance his own job security, so he will be relieved to have Frank Lampard back from a stomach virus, although Petr Cech has not travelled to Turkey as he continues to make a slow recovery from an ankle injury.
Grant should be able to rely on Chelsea's superb defensive record in Europe to stand them in good stead against Fenerbahce. The Blues have only conceded two goals in their eight matches so far, although Joe Cole knows they must improve on Sunday's nervous win over Middlesbrough.
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