Blue skies over Manchester...

"I think the Champions League is a higher podium than the Premier League but maybe it's not like that." 

Manager Louis van Gaal will be expected to deliver on both fronts but his pre-match quotes ahead of the PSV Eindhoven match showed how much he wants to succeed in Europe.

Image source, Reuters

He will have to do that without the services of Wayne Rooney, however, after the Englishman strained his hamstring in training for the weekend's win over Liverpool.

Striker James Wilson and midfielder Andreas Pereira are in the squad despite neither making an appearance this season.

Everyone enjoys a beer while watching sport, but not many sportsmen actually have a beer while playing sport.

Well, that is unless you are University of Virginia goaltender Jake Anderson who, with his team leading 7-0, was handed a beer , externalover the barrier by a fan and proceeded it down it. Anderson was swiftly ejected from the game.

Image source, Getty Images

His own university's match report said: "Jake Anderson had a shutout through two periods until he was disqualified for consuming an alcoholic beverage on the ice. 

"This selfish act drew eerie parallels to the maturity of a middle schooler desperate for attention from his crush."

The absence of striker Sergio Aguero would be dismal news for most Manchester City fans ahead of a Champions League match, but there have been goals everywhere in Manuel Pellegrini's side this season.

Aguero, 27, picked up a knee injury during the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday, however winger Raheem Sterling has recovered from a hamstring problem, while David Silva is available after ankle trouble.

Image source, AP

"I hope Aguero will be OK for the weekend but we must wait to see the result of the scans," said manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Read the full preview here.

Midfielder Juan Mata has been speaking ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie against PSV Eindhoven, describing it as a "special" game for Memphis, who moved from the Dutch club to Old Trafford over the summer.

He said: "It reminds me of my visit to Valencia with Chelsea a few months after my arrival in England.

Image source, EPA

“PSV is an historic team in European football, although they haven't participated in the group stage in the last few years. I remember watching [PSV manager] Cocu when he was a player. He's doing a good job: they haven't been defeated so far this season."

Follow live text commentary of tonight's Champions League coverage here.

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has said the return of striker Daniel Sturridge from injury is crucial for getting their season back on track.

He also said the return of Philippe Coutinho from suspension and captain Jordan Henderson from injury will see Brendan Rodgers's side mount a fightback following a mixed start.

Image source, PA

He told a US radio station: "I think it's vital Daniel Sturridge is back playing and firing as soon as possible.

"I think the key is the partnership he forms with [Christian] Benteke because if they click together there's plenty more big games to finish high up in the league."

A Question of Sport Teaser

Earlier we asked you which three teams are making their Champions League debuts this season.

Answers: FC Astana, Borussia Monchengladbach and Gent.

I told you it was a tough one. Top marks for those that got all three.

Alasdair Preston:  I'd happily crowd-fund a takeover at Blackpool next season. What's the going rate for a League 2 side these days?

Lee:  Arsenal striker fund. Everyone chip in a quid.

Toronto has reportedly declared itself out of the running for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Mayor John Tory said money needs to go into more pressing infrastructure projects ahead of the millions of dollars needed to host the event.

He did not rule out Toronto hosting major competitions in future, but said: "I can't look people in the eye at this point in our city's development and tell them that an Olympic bid is the best use of our time, our energy or our investment."

Image source, Getty Images

Two stats, two very different stories: City have never lost a home game against an Italian team in European competition. City have only won once in their four previous opening Champions League games.

History is either on their side or against them, if the data men are to be believed. While we wait to find out, here's a rundown of how the Blues have got on over the past four years since ending their 43-year wait for European football.

• 2014-15 season - Round of 16
• 2013-14 season - Round of 16
• 2012-13 season - Group stage
• 2011-12 season - Group stage

Image source, AP

BBC Radio Solent's Kevan James at Southampton: "Hampshire claimed maximum batting bonus points for the first time this season as Liam Dawson (140) hit his first Championship hundred of the summer.

"Some lusty hitting at the end enabled Hampshire to reach their fifth point with five balls to spare.

"It could have been worse for Yorkshire as Gary Balance (14*) has already been dropped in the gully. "   

BBC Newcastle's Martin Emmerson at Chester-le-Street:

"No play has been possible on day two, despite the best efforts of the ground staff, with umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Kettleborough deciding the outfield is too wet following torrential rain earlier.

"Bottom club Worcestershire are 223-4 in their first innings.

"Durham have now lost 612 overs this season, most of them since July."

World number 44 Mike Dunn has beaten Marco Fu 5-3 in their first round match at the Shanghai Masters. Fu is currently ranked 13th.

Find the rest of today's results here.

Right, with just a few hours to go until kick-off, it's time to whet your appetite for Tuesday's Champions League action.

Dan Walker is joined by Trevor Sinclair for this week's Focus Forum as they look forward to kick-off.

Manchester City host last year's finalists Juventus while Manchester United travel to Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, as Memphis Depay returns to his former club.

We'll have live text commentary of both matches from 18:30 BST on the BBC Sport website and app, plus radio commentary from BBC Radio 5 live of Manchester City v Juventus at 19:45 BST.

Play has been abandoned for the day in Warwickshire's home game against Notts, with the visitors reaching 16-0 in the four overs of play possible - England Test squad newcomer Alex Hales making six not out.

Leicestershire v Essex has been washed out without a single ball bowled for the second day running at Grace Road, and it was a similar story in Kent's game against Gloucestershire at Canterbury, where the home side reached 67-1 on day one.

Andre Berto was seen off by Floyd Mayweather on Saturday but the beaten boxer has tried to land a few verbal jabs.

"I didn't know I was gonna have to wear track shoes," Berto said in an interview that appeared on TMZ Sports. "I had to do a lot of chasing."

Image source, Getty Images

Alexia Walker, Sussex Women’s most capped player, has announced her retirement at the age of 32 after playing 146 matches over 22 years for the county.

Roma owner James Pallotta believes striker Edin Dzeko holds the key to winning Serie A again.

Image source, Getty Images

After finishing second in Serie A to Juventus for the past two seasons, Roma has already recorded a victory over the Turin team this season - clinched by the 29-year-old Dzeko, who has joined on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

"A big guy in the middle, it's a striker we have not had for 10 to 12 years,'' Pallotta said.