There's been very late drama in the Danish capital!

Bayer Leverkusen equalised a few moments ago after Alejandro Grimaldo's superb free-kick.

But Copenhagen have just restored their lead through substitute Robert Silva's firm header. Just a few minutes remain.

Shamoon Hafez
Football news reporter at Etihad Stadium

Three tough games in the space of a week was going to test Manchester City's resolve following back-to-back defeats, but they passed the first examination with ease, claiming a satisfying victory over rivals Manchester United on Sunday.

Tonight they begin their Champions League game against Serie A champions Napoli, who bring with them a familiar face around these parts.

Kevin de Bruyne spent a decade at City winning 16 trophies but tonight he will be looking inflict misery on his former club upon his return to Etihad Stadium.

Numerous police vans lined the forecourt of the stadium on the walk down and there was a heavy presence of officers on the streets for the start of City's and Napoli's European campaign.

Ciaran Kelly
BBC Sport reporter at St James' Park

There was a huge roar from the thousands of Newcastle United supporters already in place here as the hosts emerged from the tunnel for their warm-up.

But those cheers turned to boos after Barcelona’s players followed behind them.

It feels like a little taste of what's to come once the game gets under way at 20:00.

BBC Sounds

On the move this evening? Don't forget you can also listen to tonight's 5 Live commentaries on the BBC Sounds app. So you can listen on the go and never miss a moment.

Or if you‘d like listen at home via your smart speaker, simply say “Play 5 Live” or “Play 5 Sports Extra”.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Manchester United reporter at the Etihad Stadium

Rasmus Hojlund's record against Manchester City reads played four, scored none (although he was part of two Manchester United victories, including in the 2024 FA Cup final).

However, for Napoli, his record is one game, one goal after his debut strike against Fiorentina on Saturday.

The Denmark international just made his way into the stadium, just behind another former United player, Scott McTominay, and just in front of his new boss Antonio Conte.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised the job opposite number Eddie Howe has done.

"I expect a really strong team, a tall team with high intensity, dynamic and who win a lot of second balls," he said.

"Vertically they play really good.

"It is a team that has built over the last years. Eddie Howe and his coaching staff have done a fantastic job."

Napoli

20 May 2025: Kevin de Bruyne and his family wave goodbye to the Etihad Stadium for the last time as a Manchester City player.

18 September 2025: Kevin de Bruyne returns to the Etihad with his new club Napoli.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

We've got two matches at 20:00 BST not involving English clubs. They are:

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Galatasaray and Sporting vs Kairat Almaty.

Both Frankfurt and Galatasaray return to the Champions League having spent last season a tier below in the Europa League. Frankfurt finished third in the Bundesliga last term, their best result since 2012, while Galatasaray are Turkish champions.

As for Sporting, they've won the past two Portuguese titles, and they're up against debutants Kairat from Kazakhstan, who beat Celtic on penalties in the qualifiers.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at St James' Park

Tino Asprilla is a guest of honour at St James' Park tonight and he has been mobbed by fans and the media as he stands near the press box.

The brilliant Colombian striker's spell on Tyneside may have been relatively short, but he went down in Newcastle United folklore for scoring a brilliant hat-trick against tonight's opponents Barcelona in a 3-2 Champions League win at St. James' Park in September 1997.

Former Newcastle United defender John Anderson believes the squad's recent Champions League experience will "stand them in good stead".

Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle: "It's not as if they're going into the competition not knowing what to expect - the majority of them have been there, done it and know what to expect.

"They have already had that big game against Paris St-Germain at St James' Park - the 4-1 win [in 2023] - which was an outstanding night and performance.

"Hopefully that's what we will see against Barcelona, who are one of the best in Europe.

"Compared to when the club was last in the Champions League, the squad is a lot stronger and there are more options for Eddie Howe.

"The 1-0 win over Wolves also came at a good time to build confidence and self-belief."

Image source, Getty Images

Mike: Welcome home KDB. Be gentle on us...

You can listen to both of tonight's games featuring Premier League clubs on the BBC.

John Murray is joined by former Manchester United and Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin at St James' Park for Newcastle against Barcelona on 5 Live from 20:00 BST.

Over on Sports Extra at the same time, former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown is alongside Eilidh Barbour for commentary of Manchester City against Napoli.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at St. James' Park

It is a tradition for Newcastle United fans to gather around the statues of club legends Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer, situated near the famous Gallowgate end at St. James' Park before every game.

Tonight, ahead of this mouth-watering Champions League meeting between Newcastle and Barcelona, supporters of both teams have been congregating around the statue of Sir Bobby Robson.

A Geordie legend who managed Newcastle United, Robson is also revered at Barcelona, most notably winning the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1997. A certain Jose Mourinho was also a key member of his backroom team - as well as acting as his interpreter.

Image source, Getty Images

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick had a lot of praise for his England forward Marcus Rashford in the build-up to the game.

Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, set up a goal in Sunday's 6-0 win over Valencia.

"I always thought: 'Wow, what kind of player he is. Unbelievable'," Flick said. "He has speed but his one against one situation is really fantastic and also his finishing is unbelievable.

"What I saw in the first weeks here is really good. He has some more potential he can show us and he wants to do this.

"It's great to have him in my team."

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has made a couple of big calls.

Jacob Murphy and record signing Nick Woltemade linked up for what proved to be a decisive goal in the hosts’ 1-0 win against Wolves at the weekend.

However, this will be a very different sort of game.

Newcastle may be lining up with out a recognised striker, but they are clearly looking to target Barcelona’s high line after recalling Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga, who are rapid.

This will be a big night for both side’s defences.

Barcelona may be without talisman Lamine Yamal, but the Catalan giants still have plenty of creativity and firepower in Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Fermin Lopez and Robert Lewandowski.

Oh, and that is without mentioning Marcus Rashford, who will be fired up on his return to England.

It’s all set up for a potential classic.

Former Newcastle defender John Beresford believes his old team can win tonight.

The Magpies famously beat Barca 28 years ago with Tino Asprilla scoring a hat-trick.

"We get the draw and the first game is Barcelona at St James' Park. Can you write it? It's unbelievable. Can lightning strike twice? Of course it can!" Beresford told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"There's certain things you don't forget and that night will live in the memory forever.

"One of the greatest nights I have ever had. We were hanging on for dear life towards the end... then the whistle went and the place just erupted, the roof comes off and I was celebrating like a nutter. It was insane.

"Newcastle against PSG a few years ago was as close as I have seen to our game against Barcelona and I think that's what will happen on Thursday."

Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

Two years ago Manchester City were champions of Europe for the first time.

Since 2023, they've gone out in the quarters and, last season, the knockout phase round - both at the hands of Real Madrid.

Thank goodness they don't have to face the record 15-time winners...wait, what's that on 10 December?

Real Madrid v Manchester City!

Pep Guardiola will hope his side have a few wins under their belt by then.

Ask Me Anything

Image source, Getty Images

Champions League on a Thursday night? The fixtures calendar has thrown that anomaly at us this week, with Manchester City, Newcastle United and Barcelona among the teams in action.

In the new format of the men's Champions League, one exclusive week per season has been set aside where matches will be played across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

No other games in Uefa competitions - Europa or Conference League - will be scheduled.

There will be no waiting around for the Champions League's exclusive week as it has been assigned to matchday one of the league phase - with games spread across 16-18 September.

Ciaran Kelly
BBC Sport reporter at St James' Park

Keith Gillespie thought he was going out for dinner.

Only his nearest and dearest had other ideas, throwing the ex-Newcastle United winger a surprise 50th birthday party earlier this year.

And a special guest jetted in all the way from Colombia to be there.

"The doors opened and the first person I saw was Tino Asprilla," Gillespie said. "He was standing there waiting on me. It was quite surreal because he's somebody you don't expect to see in Bangor Golf Club.

"It was a lovely surprise. I was just made up that someone would actually make that effort to fly in for an evening."

It is now approaching three decades since the pair wreaked havoc for Newcastle against the mighty Barcelona.

But some friendships, clearly, stand the test of time.

"We clicked that night," Gillespie said.

Now, as Newcastle prepare to face the Catalan giants once again, Asprilla will be among those watching on at St James' Park on Thursday night.

Read more here.

Shamoon Hafez
Football news reporter at Etihad Stadium

The team news is easy for this game, both sides are unchanged from their league victories at the weekend.

Man City XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Rodri, Silva, Reijnders, Foden, Doku, Haaland.

The returning Kevin de Bruyne starts against his old club for Napoli, while former Manchester United players Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund are also in for the Serie A champions.

Napoli XI: Milinkovic-Savic, Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Buongiorno, Spinazzola, Lobotka, Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay, Hojlund.