SOCCER: Barcelona v Panathinaikos:PANATHINAIKOS COULD be on the receiving end of a Champions League backlash from a wounded Barcelona tonight after the La Liga giants were stunned 2-0 at fortress Nou Camp by unfancied Hercules at the weekend.

Barca host the Greek side for their opening Group D clash smarting from a first home defeat in the Spanish league since May 2009, one defender Daniel Alves said had raised the hackles of coach Pep Guardiola’s players.

“Winning is the only thing that matters at this club and when we don’t win we get angry,” the Brazilian said. “Whatever team we’re facing we’re always motivated to win and Tuesday will be no different. We’ll go out there with the same motivation, but we hope that we show a bit more quality.”

Barca were denied a second straight triumph in Europe’s elite club competition when they lost out in last season’s semi-finals to Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan, who went on to defeat Bayern Munich.

With Portuguese Mourinho now at Barca’s arch rivals Real Madrid, the Catalans will be keen to lay down a marker.

Guardiola’s decision to rest World Cup-winners Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Pedro and Carles Puyol against Hercules backfired, and even with Spain striker David Villa and Argentina forward Lionel Messi on the pitch the 2009 winners were worryingly toothless.

Panathinaikos warmed up for Tuesday’s match with a 1-0 win at Aris Salonika that leaves them in third place after two matches.

France international Djibril Cisse, who helped Panathinaikos to a Greek league and cup double last season, scoring 29 goals in all competitions, will likely play as a lone striker at the Nou

Probable teams

BARCELONA: V Valdes; D Alves, G Pique, C Puyol, E Abidal; S Busquets, Xavi, A Iniesta; L Messi, D Villa, Pedro.

PANATHINAIKOS: A Tzorvas; S Marinos, JA Boumsong, J Sarriegi, L Vintra; K Katsouranis, G Silva; G Karagounis, S Leto; S Ninis; D Cisse.

Referee: N Rizzoli (Italy)