Mourinho issues early warning

FC Internazionale Milano coach José Mourinho insists there is no added pressure on him to win the UEFA Champions League as the Nerazzurri start their Group B campaign at Panathinaikos FC, but he warns: "My teams tend to win trophies."

Mourinho return
Mourinho led FC Porto to the European title in 2004 before twice taking Chelsea FC to the semi-finals. He left Chelsea in acrimonious circumstances this time last season and almost a year to the day returns to the competition with high ambitions once again. Mourinho, though, is adamant there is no undue expectation to reclaim a prize which Inter last lifted in 1965. "I'm not under pressure to win this competition," he said. "[Inter owner] Massimo Moratti knows this is the UEFA Champions League, a competition where minor details can make the difference.

Early warning
"I don't believe I was a better coach when I won the trophy than when my [Chelsea] team were eliminated on penalties in the semi-finals, and I won't accept my merits as a coach being evaluated on the basis of results only. However beware: My teams tend to win trophies. I'm not afraid to say we want to win the competition, but I'm a realist. Apart from us, there are the English teams, the Spanish sides, Bayern München and the other Italian teams – perhaps apart from Fiorentina who are strong but inexperienced – who are tipped to lift the trophy. It's not just Manchester United, Chelsea and us."

Quaresma goal
Iván Córdoba will be back in defence alongside Marco Materazzi, with Mourinho facing his biggest decision on the right side of midfield where Mario Balotelli, Luís Figo or Mancini could play. Much will depend on whether Mourinho opts for a 4-3-3 formation or a 4-4-2 although either way Zlatan Ibrahimović and Ricardo Quaresma will start – the latter having scored his first goal for the club in Saturday's 2-1 victory against Calcio Catania.

'Privilege'
Henk Ten Cate joined Chelsea as Avram Grant's assistant following Mourinho's departure, before moving on to Panathinaikos after the London side's loss to Manchester United FC in the UEFA Champions League final. After guiding the Athens club through two qualifying rounds, he will take charge of his first group stage tie as a coach in his own right. "It's a privilege for us to start against a team as good as Inter," he said. "My players are very motivated and will play with lots of heart. This game will give us the chance to find out quickly where we stand in the group. This is serious business and we have to be at our sharpest."

Karagounis influence
Ten Cate will aim to tighten a defence which has looked shaky in the Greek Super League, and could bring in Marcelo Mattos as extra defensive cover in midfield alongside Gilberto. Panathinaikos kicked off their domestic campaign with a 2-1 loss at AEK Athens FC, but a 3-0 win against Panthrakikos FC on Saturday has lifted morale. Giorgos Karagounis was rested for that match but will return on Tuesday, with the Dutch coach saying: "He is one of the few players we have with considerable UEFA Champions League experience. Therefore he is extremely important for us."