The Blues bucked the trend of English sides in the competition - Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal all lost and failed to score in the first legs of their respective last-16 ties - as Fernando Torres' early goal put them on course for victory in a dominant first-half display.
However, roared on by the raucous home fans, Roberto Mancini's side produced a much-improved performance after the break and earned a 1-1 scoreline as poor defending allowed Aurelien Chedjou to strike home.
Jose Mourinho had no complaints about the result ending in a draw, but was again frustrated by his side's lack of cutting edge - sentiments echoed by Chelsea's all-time top scorer Lampard.
"I wouldn't want to go and say that's a great result, but we all know what a strong team they are," he said.
"I think we played very well in the first half and controlled it, so we were a little bit disappointed at half-time that we weren't more than 1-0 up.
"They didn't have many chances and we had about four or five very good counter-attacks but we didn't make more of them.
"When it's 1-0 you know with the atmosphere here they can always get on the up.
"It was great to play in from the minute we went to warm up
It's one of those atmospheres that you play football for
Fair play to their fans, they were amazing.
"You expected them to have a good period and they had a big period like that in the second half and we ended up sitting back a little bit.
"We weren't passing it like we were in the first half, which was a bit disappointing.
"It's one of those results where you're kind of happy with it but we've still got a lot of work to do when we get back home and play them at the Bridge."
As well as offering Chelsea the chance to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals, the second leg in three weeks will be an extra special occasion as it will mark Drogba's first return to Stamford Bridge.
The Ivorian won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups with the Blues - achievements surpassed with his last kick for the club, slotting home the penalty which won Chelsea their first ever Champions League.
Lampard enjoyed playing against Drogba and, while they managed to keep him quiet at the at the Turk Telekom Arena, knows they have to be on guard at Stamford Bridge.
"It was brilliant," the England midfielder said
"I'm really pleased for him.
"It's a moment he deserves, especially at the Bridge in a few weeks
He's a great lad and a great player
I can't speak highly enough of him.
"It was an honour to play against him and an honour to play with him for so many years.
"But we know if you switch off he's going to score, so we'll have to watch him back at the Bridge."
Drogba's impending return, coupled with leaked remarks from Mourinho on Chelsea's strength in depth up top, has turned extra spotlight on the frontmen.
Samuel Eto'o, Demba Ba and Torres have only managed 19 goals between them in all competitions, although the latter rose to the occasion in Turkey by netting in an impressive display.
"Fernando has a great record in European games for us," Lampard said.
"People have made a lot about Fernando and his ?50million price tag over the years, but I don't think he has to prove or sit back and analyse too much what he's got to do.
"He just has to go out and score goals, and 13 out of 17 European games is the sort of stuff we're talking about.
"He showed what he can do against Galatasaray and scored a very important goal for us, (and) got behind them a lot, particularly in the first half.
"That's what you need when you come to places like this - to have players that are willing to run and get in behind defences, on the counter-attack, particularly, and he did that."
Source : PA
Source: PA