Paul Robinson
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Nico Gonzalez has been a good buy for Man City.

We have all spoken about the absence of Rodri and how much of a miss he has been. You can't pin all of their problems on one player being missing but they have not been able to find the solutions in their squad.

To then go and pick up Gonzalez, who is as close as a player to Rodri as you can get, they have certainly looked better since he came in.

The players are out on the pitch as the Champions League anthem is blasted around the ground.

Chris Sutton
Former Celtic striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Jude Bellingham's underrated strength is his attacking of the box. He is a great reader of the play and the timing of his runs is exceptional. The debate for years for England has been what is his greatest position? Well, he can play in any of them.

Paul Robinson
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

With Jude Bellingham now playing in behind Kylian Mbappe in that number ten role, and having that interchange with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo on the wings, it is exceptional to watch.

Bellingham's all round game is brilliant, there are not many players who play in that ten role that do that defensive side of things. He has both aspects to his game.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at The Bernabeu

Deafening whistles around The Bernabeu when the name of Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola is announced. They will never forget his close association and success in charge of the old enemy, Barcelona.

Paul Robinson
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'm not so sure that you trust Abdukodir Khusanov at right back tonight given what is in front of him, with who he will come up against.

The pace of Vinicius Junior flying down the left hand side, how Madrid turn from defence into attack, you've got Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo running and attacking the space in behind.

At least if you tuck him in at centre back he has experienced players in and around him to support.

Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Nico Gonzalez can't do it all on his own. That midfield has suffered so much this season because they don't have the legs.

One thing you have to be at this top level in the Champions League is athletic.

There are elite levels to not only the football brain but the athleticism, being fitter than other sides. City don't have that in the midfield.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at The Bernabeu

Manchester City's fans are tucked away high in the top tiers of this magnificent arena. They are making themselves heard on a night when their team are underdogs as they try to overturn that 3-2 deficit from the first leg at Etihad Stadium.

The heaters in the roof of The Bernabeu have just come on to keep them warm. Luxurious.

Since Erling Haaland joined Manchester City in 2022, this will be just the 32nd game he hasn't started across all competitions (W25 D2 L4).

Up until now, their goals per game average is the same (2.4) when he has started (128 games) as when he he hasn't been in the XI (31).

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Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

This could be a Champions League farewell to Manchester City for modern greats of the club such as Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and goalkeeper Ederson, while others such as Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic are also in their 30s.

Pep Guardiola would not be drawn as he said: "I would like to answer this but it will be at the end of the season. We still have a lot to play for, to qualify for the Champions League next season, we are still there in the Champions League this season. We have the FA Cup and the Club World Cup."

Stephen Warnock
Former Aston Villa and Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live Monday Night Club

Image source, Getty Images

We're going to see how good Nico Gonzalez is in a pressure game. Away at the Santiago Bernabeu - that is where you will be tested to your absolute maximum. To see whether you can sense danger, whether you can protect your team, whether you can keep the ball in tight areas and pressure situations.

That's exactly what City have struggled to do. Can he cover the ground with recovery runs to make sure he is tracking back? They go into this game with a little bit more organisation in midfield but still huge questions at the back.

Mina Rzouki
European football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live Euro Leagues podcast

What Carlo Ancelotti does so well on the mental side of things is that he creates the atmosphere which makes you always believe in yourself, and I think that sets him apart from the rest.

Yes you may be down and out, you may have a lot of injuries or lack many things that you need in the current moment to be the best version of yourself, but he doesn't give excuses.

It reminds the players that it doesn't matter whatever or whoever they are without, that they are enough. They are better or superior to the opponent.

Borussia Dortmund did all the hard work in the first leg and they go through to the Champions League last 16 at the expense of Sporting.

They will find out on Friday whether they are facing Lille or Aston Villa.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola describes him as a 'mini-Rodri' but could Nico Gonzalez end up having a huge impact on what is left of Manchester City's season?

The £50m midfielder's impressive display on his Premier League debut, Saturday's 4-0 win over top-four rivals Newcastle, brought the Rodri comparison from his beaming manager and impressed former City defender Micah Richards, who analysed Gonzalez for MOTD2.

"Gonzalez gave City the control they have been missing, with and without the ball," said Richards.

"That made a massive difference to the whole team, and he was a positive influence on the players around him too."

Next up is an even tougher test, but could the 23-year-old Spaniard have a similar effect against Real Madrid on Wednesday, and help City turn around a Champions League play-off tie where they trail 3-2 after the first leg?

"The balance of the team looks much, much better already with Gonzalez in it," Richards added.

"City have got players who can score goals and hurt Real, but he brings some stability behind them, which they will need if they are to manage the game in Madrid.

"Do they have more chance of beating Real with him in the starting XI? Without a doubt."

Read the full article on the BBC Sport website.

Image source, Getty Images

Paris St-Germain are in a promising position ahead of today's game against Brest.

Luis Enrique's side began the month by beating Brest 5-2 in Ligue 1 with Ousmane Dembele scoring a hat-trick.

Last week, PSG were 3-0 winners against Brest. Ousmane Dembele scored twice on that occasion.

It might be fair to say that Brest will be glad to see the back of PSG after tonight.

Chris Sutton
Former Celtic striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

There are so many alarm bells ringing about this Man City selection that they will probably go on and win the game now.

Lucas Anjos comes on for his Sporting debut, replacing Geovany Quenda.

A special moment for the 20-year-old.