Grant predicts second-leg onslaught

Chelsea coach Avram Grant is ready to return to a more attacking style when his side face Olympiacos on home soil in a fortnight’s time.

Grant admitted he was unhappy with last night’s performance against the Greek champions and claimed the display was the worst since he took over from deposed Jose Mourinho last September.

Chelsea stumbled to a goalless draw in a game of few chances and both goalkeepers had little to do.

Grant’s vision of free-flowing football for his Chelsea side was nowhere to be seen.

When asked if it was their worst display in the competition, the 52-year-old Israeli coach, who left Frank Lampard and John Terry out of his starting line-up, replied: “Yes, it was a game in which we played less well.

“The result is okay, although you always want to win. A draw away is not a bad result but we didn’t create a lot of chances and that was disappointing.

“It is not easy to play against Olympiacos. They are a very organised team. We will try to improve for the return leg.”

Grant refused to confirm whether Lampard or Terry will start the Carling Cup final against Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday.

He said: “I need to tell the players first and not the media.”

Grant’s decision to leave the pair out of his line-up against Olympiacos may prove well-founded, but to omit them from Sunday’s showpiece would cause further speculation.

However, Grant is ready to take even tougher decisions if necessary.

“I am always asked about players who are not in the side,” said Grant.

“But I am the manager and I have to make these decisions. They are not easy ones to do but I will continue to make them.”

Chelsea failed to trouble the Olympiacos goal and even though Didier Drogba was back spearheading the attack after his African Nations Cup sojourn, he looked out of sorts.

Grant added: “It was not an easy game for us as Olympiacos have shown they are a strong, well-organised side.

“I would have liked us to have created more chances.”

Olympiacos coach Panagiotis Lemonis was happy with the draw and insisted he would not change his tactics for the return leg.

He said: “Chelsea are a strong team and good in defence.

“We knew that it would be difficult for us but we will not change our style for the return leg.”