Olympiakos hope to outwit United tactically

Olympiakos are hoping tactical superiority will overcome footballing excellence when they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Greeks face the Red Devils in Champions League combat knowing they were twice defeated by Alex Ferguson’s men at the same stage last year.

They also have to carry the burden of never having won a Champions League away game in 19 attempts and having blown an impressive 6-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen in their opening match with an equally stunning 3-0 defeat to Maccabi Haifa last week.

While stating firmly that his team would still have an excellent chance of reaching the last 16 even if United grabbed maximum points tonight, coach Panagiotis Lemonis knows a point would greatly enhance their position with two home games still to come.

But he is not expecting an easy ride, even if critics still suggest United are a shadow of their former selves.

“Even when they don’t play well Manchester United can kill any team,” he said.

“They are very dangerous and proved it by beating us twice last year. I don’t see a lot of difference to their side now, so we have to get our tactics spot on because it is the best way to stop them.”

Olympiakos include Middlesbrough reject Christian Karembeu in their squad, plus Yugoslav playmaker Predrag Djordjevic.

Greek international Alexios Alexandris will operate as a lone striker as the Athens-based outfit bid to make amends for their shocking display in neutral Nicosia seven days ago.

“The players were really fed up by what happened against Maccabi,” said Lemonis.

“Everything seemed fine in the dressing room but then it all went wrong.

“Hopefully they can draw strength from that because we need to improve.

“We need to start dynamically, which is something we didn’t do against either Leverkusen or Maccabi. Hopefully then we can give our supporters something to cheer about at last.”