And Grant feels his team have recovered well from their much-criticised display in the Carling Cup final defeat against Spurs.

He said: "I have confidence in my team. From day one I have had full confidence in the team, even though most of the people didn't believe we would have a good year.

"So far it has been a good development and that pleases me more than the results.

"We know it was a bad day in the League Cup final. We were only team from the big four to make the final. We showed since then character and good attitude. That is what is important. It's what I like."

Olympiakos coach Takis Lemonis said his team lost the match in the opening minutes.

He said: "After what I said yesterday about not conceding in the first 20 minutes, we conceded. There wasn't any lack of concentration, but you cannot give such a team such a start."