LONDON - Avram Grant has highlighted the Champions League as a priority for Chelsea and he could not find the word to describe what failure against Olympiacos would mean.
The Greek champions need a scoring draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday to derail Grant's European dreams, less than a fortnight after he was criticised for the way he handled the Carling Cup final.
"If we will not qualify.....I don't know the word, I think you know it better than me," he said.
Chelsea have no away goal from the first-leg stalemate but are overwhelming favourites to make it to the last eight, although reaching the final is part of the club's aims as they look to grow.
They have reached the semis three times in four years but it is breaking through to the barrier of the final that has so far been missing in the Roman Abramovich era.
"The players are experienced in this kind of stage," Grant said.
"But we said from the beginning that our target was to succeed in the Champions League.
"It is the priority of this club but also it is the priority of me. I am living in this club.
"We haven't got to the final and as a good team that wants to be bigger we need to be in the final of the Champions League. It is not easy because there are many good clubs but this is our priority."
Grant came out fighting last week after what he perceived as unfair criticism following the Wembley defeat to Spurs, and he feels he can thrive under the pressure that comes with guiding Chelsea towards success.
"Life in football today is a lot of pressure," he added.
"I think it is good because when you are in a big club it pushes you always to achieve the best things.
"I think it is good pressure. I like it personally."
The pressure of success means he faces tough decisions on which players to use or rest; Didier Drogba missed out at the weekend and is expected to return to face Olympiacos.
Michael Ballack missed out against Spurs at Wembley, as did Joe Cole.
"For me, my job is to play for Chelsea when selected and play as well as I can," said Cole.
"I don't pay attention to any of the drama surrounding this football club. My job is to perform as well as I can and that's what I'll do.
"I think that applies for every big club - Manchester United, Arsenal, all the top clubs in England have big players left out.
"As footballers you are responsible for one thing and one thing only and that's your performance. That is regardless of everything on and off the pitch. Hopefully I play and all I'm concerned with, is can I help Chelsea get a result."
Grant is hoping that this competitive edge can keep Chelsea in the hunt for the Champions League as well as the FA Cup and Barclays Premier League.
"Any player that is in the squad expects to play," he said.
"I don't want to be with a squad where players don't want to play. We are a big squad with good players.
"Only 11 can play, I checked to play with more but they don't allow it. Any formation or 11 I pick, there will be big players on the bench.
"The bench is very important for us and also the players not in the squad. This is life in a big club."
