Puyol urges caution against in-form Stuttgart

BARCELONA captain Carles Puyol admits his side could be in for a bad night if they underestimate the threat posed by in-form Stuttgart in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie tonight.

Barca make the trip to Germany having bounced back from their first league defeat of the season eight days ago against Atletico Madrid by thumping Racing Santander 4-0 on Saturday night. But tonight they will come up against a Stuttgart side who have won six of their last seven matches and at the weekend beat Cologne 5-1.

Puyol said: "They are a dangerous team. If we don't go there focused, we could really have a bad time."

Barca have struggled badly with absentees recently and the Champions League holders will again be without Seydou Keita and Eric Abidal for tonight's match. Key duo Xavi and Dani Alves have at least made the trip to Germany, but neither has yet been given the all-clear to return to action following injuries.

Stuttgart coach Christian Gross is likely to be without left-back Arthur Boka for both meetings against Barca after he suffered a dislocated shoulder in training

Meanwhile, Olympiakos striker Jaouad Zairi is adamant the Greek side's frenzied home support can give them the edge against Bordeaux in tonight's other Champions League tie.

"It's very hot, the fans are fanatical," said Zairi. "The crowd is like our 12th man. They can turn the game around for us. The atmosphere is very impressive."