Summary

  1. Goodbye!published at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    Glorious, Sean.

    And that's all we've got time for. Today's live text will go down in history as the one where Get Involver Aly told us he donated part of his liver to spite Liverpool, but ended up putting a curse on his own team, Manchester United.

    Yep, those who weren't following earlier, that did all really happen.

    Who knows what topics we'll find ourselves talking about tomorrow?

    Be sure to join us on the BBC Sport website and App from 07:00 GMT onwards. See ya then!

  2. get involved

    Get Involved - Your petty football behaviourpublished at 15:58 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    As a Crystal Palace fan I'll never let a seagull eat my chips.

    Sean

  3. Postpublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    I think we've got time for a final post before we close.

    Shall we return one last time to our football 'petty behaviours' debate?...

  4. Sutton's predictions: Exeter v Nottingham Forestpublished at 15:54 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    Exeter City v Nottingham Forest (20:00 GMT)

    A banner of BBC Sport columnist Chris Sutton

    I know it is being televised but I don't really understand why this game has to be on a Tuesday night - and I don't like it.

    The timing might affect Nuno Espirito Santo's team selection before Nottingham Forest go to Fulham on Saturday. It seems unfair they cannot play at the weekend like everyone else, and have a clear week before travelling to Craven Cottage.

    It won't stop 'The Wood-Chopper' [Chris Wood] from sending Forest through, but it could mean Nuno makes more changes for this tie. I hope he doesn't, but I think he might - although they should still have too much for Exeter.

    This is the first time Exeter have reached the fourth round since 1980-81, and they went on to lose to eventual winners Tottenham in the quarter-finals.

    I'd love to see Forest - have I mentioned they were my boyhood team? - repeat that feat and go all the way to the final this season. If they do make it to Wembley, I will definitely be there cheering them on.

    Sutton's prediction: 0-3

  5. Exeter v Nottingham Forest - key statspublished at 15:51 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    Exeter City v Nottingham Forest (20:00 GMT)

    • Exeter City are winless in four previous meetings with Nottingham Forest (D2 L2) with this their first time facing the Reds since April 1951, a 5-0 home defeat.
    • Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in their last two FA Cup away games (W1 D1), having lost eight in a row on the road before this.
    • Exeter have progressed from just one of their last 18 FA Cup ties against top-flight opponents, eliminating Leicester in the 1980-81 fourth round. Their most recent such match was against West Bromwich Albion in January 2018, a 2-0 home defeat.
    • Nottingham Forest are looking to reach the FA Cup fifth round in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1995-96/1996-97.
  6. 'Underdogs' Exeter can cause Forest upset - Caldwellpublished at 15:48 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    Exeter City v Nottingham Forest (20:00 GMT)

    Exeter City manager Gary CaldwellImage source, Getty Images

    Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell believes his side can cause an FA Cup upset when they host Premier League Nottingham Forest tonight.

    The Grecians have reached the fourth round for the first time since 1981 but face a side third in the top flight who are fresh off a 7-0 thrashing of Brighton and Hove Albion last week.

    "We know we are massive underdogs," Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.

    "But with the magic of the cup there is always that possibility of an upset and we believe that at our very best we can do that."

    "At home, football-wise you've got a better chance of winning [but] financially it's less positive for the club.

    "It's a Premier League team that is doing extremely well, really surprising people this year with how high they are up the table, pushing for a Champions League place.

    "So not just any Premier League team, but a Premier League team that is showing what a good side they are week in, week out - only last week winning 7-0.

    "That doesn't happen often in the Premier League, so we know how difficult a task this is going to be.

    "We're really excited and really looking forward to it."

  7. Postpublished at 15:46 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    Exeter City v Nottingham Forest (20:00 GMT)

    Right, before we sign off, let's focus on tonight's FA Cup clash between League One Exeter and Premier League high-flyers Nottingham Forest.

  8. Which British clubs could meet further down the line?published at 15:45 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta shaking handsImage source, Getty Images

    There is a chance Liverpool and Aston Villa could meet in the quarter-finals if they both win their last-16 ties.

    Arsenal could meet Celtic or Manchester City in that round too.

    But all of those potential fixtures depend on which way the last-16 draw goes. It is also possible British teams could meet in the semis or final.

    All should become clearer after 21 February when the draws for the last 16 onwards are made.

  9. Who could meet in the last 16?published at 15:40 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    2024-25 Champions League footballsImage source, Getty Images

    Liverpool and Barcelona cannot meet until the final now after finishing in the top two of the league phase.

    The Reds will play one of Monaco, Brest, PSG or Benfica in the last 16 - with Barca facing another of those teams.

    Arsenal, who finished third, will play Feyenoord, Juventus, AC Milan or PSV.

    Aston Villa, who just finished in the top eight after beating Celtic, will take on Sporting, Club Brugge, Atalanta or Borussia Dortmund.

    Those ties will take place on 4-5 and 11-12 March.

    But they will not know which team exactly until the last-16 draw takes place on 21 February.

    Clubs will know their potential route to the final by then - with the draws for the quarters and semis also taking place that day.

  10. When is the draw for the last 16?published at 15:37 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    An image showing the Champions League play-off drawImage source, Getty Images

    After the play-offs comes the last-16.

    The draw to finalise those last-16 ties is made on 21 February, when the eight winners of the play-off ties will be known.

    Some elements of the last-16 draw are already decided because teams in the top eight of the league phase were split into four seeded pairs based on their position in the table.

    Teams in the seeded pair will face the winners of one of the two play-off ties they have already been bracketed with.

    Liverpool finished top of the league phase and are paired with second-place Barcelona. Those teams will play either the winners of the Brest v Paris St-Germain tie or the team that progresses from Monaco's meeting with Benfica.

    Arsenal were third and are paired with Italian club Inter Milan, who were fourth. The Gunners or Inter will play either the winners of Juventus v PSV Eindhoven or Feyenoord against AC Milan.

    Aston Villa were eighth and are paired with seventh-placed Lille and those teams will face the winners of Club Brugge v Atalanta or Sporting v Borussia Dortmund.

  11. Postpublished at 15:34 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    Finally, some appreciation for my Two Ronnies joke. I can log off happy tonight.

    Incidentally, I think we'll be closing today's live around 16:00 GMT, so get your responses in now if you want them to be included.

  12. Rodrygo 'happy' at Real Madridpublished at 15:31 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    Man City v Real Madrid (20:00 GMT)

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    Real Madrid's Brazilian winger Rodrygo has been the subject of interest from the Saudi Pro-League.

    Given he is only 24, is widely acknowledged to be one of the best attacking players in the game and only signed a contract extension with Real in 2023, any move would be huge.

    Rodrygo was asked about it in a press conference last night.

    Let's just say he wasn't giving much away.

    "In terms of offers, I don’t know too much about that," he said. "That is for my father, who is my agent, and the club.

    "I am really happy here. I have been here for a long time."

    Rodrygo was 17 when he joined Real, moving to Spain from Santos the following year.

  13. 'Tonight will be a spectacle'published at 15:29 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    Manchester City v Real Madrid (20:00 GMT)

    Guillem Balague
    Spanish football journalist on 5 Live Breakfast

    In the big games Real Madrid have not beaten anybody, they drew twice against Atletico Madrid, lost against Liverpool, AC Milan, Barcelona twice. In the big games they haven't been able to do that, the balance of working without the ball and we know the quality with it.

    In the case of Pep Guardiola, I'll tell you a story, after the PSG defeat, it was Chelsea for City and he cancelled training because he needed 12 hours to prepare for the Chelsea game because he had an idea, decided to play with no wingers and then they beat Chelsea.

    Against Real Madrid, he said, I'm not going to prepare anything. All of a sudden seven Real Madrid players appear on the left hand side. What are they doing there?

    So Real Madrid are completely, almost impossible to prepare against. Tonight, I think it will be one of those spectacles that will be a lot to do with the quality but even more, on their mistakes and their problems.

  14. Postpublished at 15:26 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    You don't want this job guys.

    Last week somebody said if you could clone a player it would have to be Wayne Rooney.

    I replied saying something like "Ah, we could call them the two Ronnies"

    It was probably my best post to date. More thumbs down than up. Crushing.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:24 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    75% in the quiz; when do I start?

    Brad, Halifax

  16. get involved

    Bournemouth 'really good side'published at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Hi Phil, with four of the ‘Big Six’ out of the FA Cup and both Manchester teams having off-seasons do you think this is the chance for an unlikely winner? Who would you bet on?

    Obviously I would never bet on football, l but if you want me to pick a dark horse for the FA Cup I’ll go for Bournemouth. Really good side with an outstanding manager in Andoni Iraola.

    Outside of them, we all know what a cup competition expert Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is, but as you ask I'll say The Cherries.

  17. Postpublished at 15:20 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    I really thought today would be the day I live-texted without any errors - but it looks like I completely missed an email from Phil McNulty answering one of your questions.

    Let's squeeze his response in.

  18. 'Madrid winning with quality if not commitment'published at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    Man City v Real Madrid (20:00 GMT)

    Guillem Balague
    Spanish football journalist

    Vinicius Jr looked far more committed to the cause in Real's match against Atletico at the weekend, having been read the riot act by Luka Modric and Federico Valverde for failing to give his best during the club's quarter-final Copa del Rey match at Leganes.

    Ancelotti continues to attempt to deal with a player who often looks like he is trying to take on the world, both on and off the pitch.

    He appears to be carrying a heavy burden, which means we have not seen the best of him this season.

    Lurking in the background is also the reported massive offer - some say about 1bn euros - from Saudi Arabia for him.

    At the moment it is all talk and Real Madrid are leaving the door open without actually saying anything for or against the deal.

    Although, with Rodrygo having scored 13 goals from Vinicius' favoured left side, his departure would not be considered a fatal blow.

    Mbappe, meanwhile, is the best he has been so far at the club.

    He has decided to rely on his own skill and intuition and on being himself, and now everyone - Vinicius included - knows he is the focal point for Madrid.

    The leadership pecking order is beginning to take shape, led by Mbappe and a much sharper Bellingham. Modric and Valverde also have a say, replacing the likes of Carvajal and Militao, who were at the forefront.

    Describing Real Madrid as exposed seems something of an understatement. But as Ancelotti says, they have been winning with quality, if not commitment, and that is in abundance.

    So who's going to bet against them?

  19. Postpublished at 15:16 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    Could be the game that makes Gonzalez tomorrow.

    Or breaks him.

    And thanks for your suggestions Luke and Anon. Forget Barca and Atletico. Rodri and giant club badges are Real Madrid's two biggest rivals.

  20. Gonzalez the key?published at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February

    Man City v Real Madrid (20:00 GMT)

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    It was a relief for Manchester City fans to see Nico Gonzalez train yesterday ahead of their Champions League tie with Real Madrid.

    Gonzalez had to go off in the first-half of the FA Cup victory at Leyton Orient after taking a heavy knock in the build-up to the hosts sensational opener.

    But the £50m transfer window arrival from FC Porto was fit enough to be present for the 15 minute section of training open to the cameras.

    Gonzalez's presence sitting in front of City's defence could be huge to their chances of progression.

    Manager Pep Guardiola has been unable to find the right way of screening his back four ever since Ballon D'Or winner Rodri got injured in September.