Reaction to nine-man Man City's loss

1. Beaten City end up with nine men
2. FT: Maribor 1-1 Chelsea
3. Hazard misses penalty for Blues
4. Messi equals Raul's CL scoring record

That's a wrap from us then. A bad week in the Champions League for the Premier League sides. Can our lads in the Europa League fare any better?

Join us tomorrow night and find out.

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Pete in Falmouth: Yes, City are technically still able to qualify. Can you really see them beating Bayern AND Roma on current form? Even one would be pushing it...

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Ben Matthews: Man City players seem to expect to win without effort. They don't sprint and harry and chase. Resting on their laurels.

BBC Radio 5 live

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "It's difficult to understand why we played such a low performance today.

"We played well against Manchester United at the weekend and we had a chance to win here at home.

"But if you give away two poor goals, you make it hard for yourself.

"It's not my place to criticise the referee, especially in this game when his mistakes weren't just the difference in the result.

"I don't want to link the referee with the result."

The more you see Diego Costa's 'offside' goal, and Oscar's penalty appeal, the worse they get...

More from The Independent's Ian Herbert on Manchester City's performance: "Maybe a little bit of fear is necessary in players - a bit of an edge that a manager can give them.

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"You thought that when City went out of the league cup last week, Pellegrini might have given them a bit of a talking to.

"But, he hasn't really shaken them up and they currently look like a side incapable of coming back in to games when they fall behind."

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Jamie in Leeds: Why are teams sticking to their current transfer policy of signing unproven foreign players? Its pretty obvious over the last few years that this isn't improving English teams in Europe. Why not start focusing on academy players and developing quality players? Better for English talent and cheaper surely?

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho when asked what he thought of travelling Chelsea fans asking him to give them a song:

"Forget it."

"The referee did not have a good night"

More reaction from Jose Mourinho - who felt that Diego Costa should have had a goal allowed instead of being ruled out for offside.

He is also not happy with his side.

"Many times surprises happen when people are not fully focused, when they believe the game can't be a difficult one," Mourinho said.

"Only when Maribor scored did the players realise the game was in danger. After that, a fantastic reaction. We deserved to win, clearly.

"We scored two goals, two very good goals. The second goal, the referee (Italian Daniele Orsato) decided to disallow but it's a clear goal.

"Normally we should win because we scored two goals. But we have to accept it.

"We didn't reach the number of goals that we should have in the second half, but the team played well. And we scored a great second goal.

"And the referee's team did not have a good night."

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Dan in Northwood: Out of the combined 16 CL matches involving premier league teams this season, the four English clubs have kept just 2 clean sheets between them, both from Chelsea. Best league in the world defending with like this? I doubt it. Spanish clubs have kept 8 and German clubs 7. In fact, if it wasn't bad enough, Spanish clubs have kept more in this week of matches alone then the English teams in the whole group stage. Worrying.

Magic Messi

Reuters

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique says "Lionel Messi is without doubt the best player I've seen as a player and a coach".

Since his Champions League debut in December 2004, only 12 teams (including Barcelona) have scored more goals than Lionel Messi's haul of 71.

That is incredible...

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Ben in Northumberland: Manchester City are crumbling under the weight of expectation. Yes their squad has star quality, but no-one reaches European football and walks straight into the semi-finals.

Manager reaction

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini speaking to Sky Sports: "I don't think the sendings-off decided the match, it was in the first half when we weren't ourselves

"It is a crisis of confidence and we must find out why by talking to the players everyday and working together.

"You can never imagine you are out when the maths says you are still in. We must try and work hard and get back to our normal style of play."

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David in Bristol: Best premier league team performance in the champions league this week? Probably Liverpool with their so called second string team!

Ian Herbert from The Independent speaking on BBC Radio 5 live: "I thought Yaya Toure looked better tonight - until the sending off.

"But there were just two shots on target from City in the second half after they were behind and that seems to be the problem with Manuel Pellegrini's sides.

"His 4-4-2 formation is not very ambitious."

"A crisis of confidence"

EPA

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "It is very difficult to understand how we played so bad from the beginning. We were so nervous, we gave away two bad goals - we didn't play.

"It is difficult to know why. It was such a low performance from important players. It is a strange moment. It is not just this competition. In the last two weeks we are not playing.

"I don't understand why but we must find a reason because we must arrange a situation.

"It is a crisis of confidence."

Manager reaction

Reuters

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports: "In the first half we didn't play well. I was not happy with the team or the performance. I changed at half-time with the conviction that team was going to improve. I was proved right, but they scored, their belief was higher and our players starting feeling the pressure.

"When a player plays as well as Eden Hazard, he can miss a penalty and still be the best player in my team. We paid the price of not a good first half and their goalkeeper was fantastic.

"This referee I have a long story from my Italian times but I don't want to go in that direction. Better to praise a team that gave everything and fought fantastically well."

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Liz Tray: Utterly disgusted w behaviour of Toure/Nasri. Throwing players to ground? Kicking them? We do NOT do that at City. Fine them.

Dip it like Drogba...

BBC

Yay Toure scored a brilliant free-kick tonight.

But how does he do it? It's all about the parabola, and hitting the ball at a 13-degree angle...

Read our iWonder guide on the maths behind free-kicks. You might even learn something.

Championship full-time

In the end Blackpool cling on for a point.

The Tangerines were in control at 2-0 up before captain Tony McMahon lost his head and was sent off for kicking out five minutes before the break. It gave Fulham a route back into the game.

A good point, but it's not enough to move Blackpool off the bottom. Kit Symons's Cottagers stay in 21st.

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Paul Shuster: As a United fan it has been a pleasure to watch Arsenal and City play the last couple of nights...more of the same please!

Top Scorers

Opta

Lionel Messi is one goal away from taking the record. Cristiano Ronaldo is smelling blood too...

Top goalscorers in the Champions League

71 Raul (Real Madrid, Schalke 04) Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

70 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Real Madrid)

56 Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV, Manchester United, Real Madrid)

50 Thierry Henry (Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona)

48 Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan, Chelsea, Dynamo Kiev)

46 Filippo Inzaghi (Juventus, AC Milan)

43 Didier Drogba (Marseille, Galatasaray, Chelsea)

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Mithun in London: As much as I love the Premier league, it's not the currently the best league in the world.

Get involved with the FA Cup

The FA Cup is on tour around the country this week ahead of this weekend's first round ties on the BBC.

And when it all gets under way, you can send us your photos too.

Here's Halifax boss Neil Aspin with the trophy before his Conference side take on Bradford City.

BBC Sport

Find out where you can catch a glimpse of the cup and tweet your photos using #getcarriedaway

Championship full-time

Brentford have come away with a terrific win from the City Ground.

The Bees survived a late Forest fightback after Michail Antonio got a goal back for the home side, but their flying start to the game was enough to see them over the line. Frustration for Stuart Pearce, but Brentford, fresh from toppling Derby at the weekend, continue to march on. They are now just two points off the play-offs.

Brentford and Bournemouth in next year's Premier League, anyone?

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George Holdsworth: Shocking performances from English clubs these past few days in the CL.. its been a dark few days for English football.

Top dog?

BBC

Lionel Messi? Cristiano Ronaldo? Nope. Luiz Adriano scored a hat-trick as Shakhtar Donetsk hammered BATE Borisov 5-0 and now has nine goals in this season's competition.

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Terry in York: Can't believe the poor crowd atmosphere at city game. Unbefitting of a champions league tie. City fans need to remember where they were a few years ago.....

AFP

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi equalled Real Madrid legend Raul as the top goalscorer in the history of the Champions League on 71 goals after scoring twice in a 2-0 win over 10-man Ajax in Amsterdam.

The Argentine headed Barca in front nine minutes before half-time and then prodded home Pedro Rodriguez's low cross to match Raul's mark in his 90th appearance in the competition 15 minutes from time. Messi now leads Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo by one goal after the Portuguese failed to find the net against Liverpool on Tuesday.

Barcelona advance to the knockout stages along with Paris St-Germain, 1-0 winners over Apoel Nicosia. Bayern Munich have won Group E with two games to spare after a 2-0 win over Roma, while Porto are also into the last 16 after a 2-0 win away to Athletic Bilbao.

Conor McNamara

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"Chelsea are still in the driving seat in their group, but this was a bit of a surprise tonight.

"Maribor took the lead and took the game to them. Chelsea could've won late-on, but Eden Hazard's penalty had no conviction behind it.

"Maribor also had their chances to win."

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Tom in Worcester: As a City fan I'm not disappointed in the players' effort, I'm more concerned about the team's cohesion.

EPA

Jose Mourinho 'is not happy with his team, not happy with the performance'. He does not look happy at all.

Full reaction to come.

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Anthony Amodeo: City end w/ 9 men. Chelsea scrape a draw against Maribor. Arsenal capitulate at home. LFC "reserves" made the best impression.

Manchester City are 10 points behind Group E winners Bayern Munich. Feet up time for Bayern now...

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Alex in Watford: This is why the Premier League isn't the best in the world. Look at the top 2 in Spain & Germany. Absolutely no sign of those sides choking in the Champions league yet.. and that's where the true form of world-class talent prevails.

Opta's Duncan Alexander on Twitter: "Before tonight, the last time four English teams failed to win in a single group stage matchday was Nov 5 2008. Bonfire of the inanities."

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Harry G Henderson: Awful performance from the ref in Maribor tonight, no consistency and got big calls wrong. But take nothing away from Maribor

Chelsea remain top of Group G with that point in Slovenia. They have eight points, Schalke have five, Sporting have four and Maribor have three.

All to play for there.

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Craig in Blackburn: Pellegrini's job is safe until the summer, solely due to the lack of available replacements. Then it will be adios.

Championship update

Poor old Blackpool may have been denied their second win of the season by the softest of goals straight from a corner kick. Tangerines keeper Joe Lewis has made save after save in the second half, but under pressure from Fulham's Dan Burn the keeper misses the inswinger, and the goal is credited to the corner taker Bryan Ruiz.

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live

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"The referee wasn't brilliant, but City were worse.

"I thought they'd win comfortably, two or three-nil. I was a long way off that prediction."

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Manchester City are bottom of Group E on two points - but they are not out yet. If they beat Bayern Munich and Roma in their final two games they could still qualify.

Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter

"The boos and jeers probably directed at the referee, but also at that City performance.

"Millions spent on getting in to Europe by City and they are floundering at the bottom of Group G."

Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart both approach referee Tasos Sidiropoulos, furious about some of his decisions tonight. But the ref wasn't playing at centre-half, he wasn't to blame for the two goals...

Join in The Social

BBC Radio 5 live

Following the full time whistle tonight, it's The Football Social on BBC Radio 5 live and the lines are now open.

Call 0500 909693, text 85058 or tweet @bbc5live to have your say on the night's action.

FULL-TIME

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Huge boos at the Etihad. Two red cards, no points, no hope?

PENALTY APPEAL

Another penalty shout from Sergio Aguero! Another no from the ref...

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Roland in Watford: Aguero and city getting what they deserve-nothing!! Wonder if Dzeko will tweet about this. Disgraceful performance.

Reuters

Nemanja Matic claps the travelling Chelsea support. Their performance in the final half hour or so was excellent but they couldn't get the win they needed.

Championship update

BBC Sport's Owen Phillips at the City Ground: "Late hope for Forest as Michail Antonio crashes in a long-range strike. But having used all three subs, an injury to Danny Fox means they will have to finish with 10 men. Forest fans have really got behind their side in the latter stages here, singing for manager Stuart Pearce and the team despite the poor display."

FULL-TIME

Two points dropped for Chelsea...

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Ben Dunbar: It's only Tasos Sidiropoulos 2nd game in the Champions League.

If after tonight's performance he gets a 3rd, something is wrong

INJURY TIME

THREE MINUTES added on at the Etihad...

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live

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"That's the right call from the referee.

"The defender slides in, but there's no contact at all on Aguero."

PENALTY APPEAL

Referee Tasos Sidiropoulos is not making any friends at the Etihad! Sergio Aguero goes down in the area, he wants a penalty - but he's booked for diving!

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Graham Jack Thirkill: Could this be Yaya Toure's last ever Champions League game at Man City?

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Rob Millward: I feel so sorry for Eden Hazard he is the only player on this pitch for Chelsea that deserves to win this match and that happens

Into the last three minutes - Samir Nasri is lucky not to join Fernandinho and Yaya Toure in the stands with a wild challenge. If they go down to six men they could get it called off I suppose...

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Zack Tucker: James Milner has been city's best player. Only city player who's looked up for it tonight

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Etihad Stadium

"Manchester City have had some grim nights in the Champions League - but this is right up there (or down there) with the worst. Dreadful on pretty much every level from first to last."

Best league in the world?

A disastrous few days for the Premier League sides. Yaya Toure sent off, Eden Hazard spurning a golden chance to win it for Chelsea. Liverpool played their reserves and Arsenal blew a three-goal lead.

Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 live

"City need to score two goals in nine minutes and they're now down to nine men.

"It's mission impossible in more ways than one."

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Gary Lineker

BBC Sport

Manchester City 2-1 down and now Toure stupidly gets himself sent off and they're down to 9 men. This has been a shambolic performance.

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Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Having spared Wernbloom a red card in a case of mistaken identity, Toure is now shown a straight red for a reckless challenge on Eremenko.

Conor McNamara

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"Eden Hazard steps up with a short run-up and it's saved.

"It was a terrible penalty.

"You could tell from the short run-up, it wasn't going to be a committed strike."

RED CARD

Reuters

This evening is going from bad to awful to absolute nightmare for City. Yaya Toure gets frustrated after over-running the ball and shoves Roman Ermenko to the ground. The referee plucks red from his top pocket and City are down to nine men.

Toure will miss City's remaining group games and their chances of making the last 16 take another dent.

MISSED PENALTY

Reuters

Absolutely rubbish! Terrible penalty from the usually reliable Eden Hazard! He waits for the keeper to move, that's his style, but duffs one right down the middle and keeper Jasmin Handanovic makes the easy save!

PENALTY TO CHELSEA

Eden Hazard is so good at that. Into the box, stands someone up one on one and then waits for the trip. Quick feet, definite penalty.

Championship latest

BBC Sport's Owen Phillips at the City Ground: "Forest having lengthy spells of possession but still not creating many chances.

"Stuart Pearce is doing his best not to lose his temper but a poor throw-in call is just about too much for the Forest manager, who lets the fourth official know he's not altogether on board with the decision. Brentford look pretty comfortable. But one home goal could make it interesting in the final 15 minutes."

RED CARD

CSKA Moscow should be down to 10 men too then. Great drama in the second halves of tonight's games.

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Sam Kier: Chelsea getting robbed by the refs right now - clear penalty and an onside goal disallowed... fair play to Maribor though!

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live

"The referee is throwing cards around here and he has got no idea who he is giving them out to.

"That should've been a second yellow card and he should've been off."

YELLOW CARD

Pontus Wernbloom is a lucky lad. The CSKA defender, already on a booking, looks sheepish after a cynical tug on the shirt of Sergio Aguero just as the City man is about to unleash a shot.

Referee Tasos Sidiropoulos has a serious bout of the Marriners though, booking the wrong man. Sergei Ignashevich is the man to have his name taken and his team remain at 11.

Championship update

It is becoming a shooting gallery at Craven Cottage, where 10-man Blackpool are sitting back, praying they can cling on. Dan Burn's header for Fulham has flashed across the face of the goal from a corner, when the defender should have scored. This would be Lee Clark's first win as Blackpool boss if the Seasiders can hang on for 30 more agonising minutes.

CLOSE!

It's been a wonderfully entertaining second half! Maribor the next to threaten, Tavares slamming a shot wide on the stretch. Into the last 10 minutes.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Etihad Stadium

"The Etihad still subdued. Manchester City still struggling. It was exactly a year ago that Alvaro Negredo's hat-trick enabled City to beat CSKA 5-2 - how times have changed. This is a desperate night so far."

Messi levels the record

Reuters

Lionel Messi is closing in on history. The Argentine nets his second goal to put Barcelona 2-0 up away to 10-man Ajax and has now scored 71 Champions League goals, drawing level with Raul at the top of the charts.

GREAT SAVE!

What a save! Diego Costa rifles in a drive from the edge of the box, it's flying into the top corner and Jasmin Handanovic somehow keeps it out.

Moments later Costa sweeps home - but the flag is up...

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Remember Nani? While Manchester United sit out this season's Champions League, the 27-year-old has just put Sporting Lisbon 3-1 up against Schalke. Tame celebration by Nani's usual standards. No somersaults or back-flips. Just a few back slaps.

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"They look dead on their feet City.

"It really is a lacklustre performance and nobody is out their sprinting, making any runs."

GREAT SAVE!

Brilliant from Oscar, what a touch and pass on the edge of the box - he feeds it into the run of Eden Hazard, who looks nailed on to score, but he can't get his shot off the ground and it's saved!

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Callum Mackenzie: Our midfielders are scared of playing a forward pass. Aguero the player who tries to do something with the ball

Holes appearing in the City backline now, as they try to balance the need to push on and salvage the game with defending with a man down.

Sixteen minutes left...

Chelsea had been dominant for 15 minutes or so, should have had a penalty, and are now level. Can they go on and win this?

AP

Four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and now on the brink of a fourth win out of four Champions League group games as Mario Gotze puts Bayern Munich 2-0 up at home to Roma. Utterly ruthless.

Meanwhile, Ajax's night just got a lot worse after Joel Veltman was sent off for a second bookable offence. They will play the closing stages against Barcelona, who lead 1-0, with 10 men.

GOAL

Reuters

It had been coming, and Chelsea are now deservedly level! John Terry heads down a corner, the header may have been sneaking in anyway, but Nemanja Matic makes sure, poking in on the line.

Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter

"I'm not sure I remember seeing the first yellow card, but the computer in front of me says Fernandinho got the first yellow on 62 minutes.

"So that was two bookings in the space of eight minutes."

RED CARD

AP

City's day goes from bad to worse! They will have to complete this comeback with 10 men as midfielder Fernandinho is dismissed for a second yellow card, for obstruction on the edge of the box. To be honest he couldn't really get out of the way...

PENALTY APPEAL

Chelsea are furious! Ramires puts in a low cross, Chelsea have so many men in the box, Oscar takes a touch and goes to ground under a challenge from Arghus. He's insistent - but nothing doing...

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Gary Lineker

BBC Sport

Good instructions from Pellegrino to sub, Dzeko. "Please score, Edin. Please!

CLOSE!

Didier Drogba scored a brilliant header from a corner in the 2012 Champions League final. He can't do it again here, mistiming his jump and putting the ball over with his shoulder.

All Chelsea now.

City have only once scored two or more goals in the final 25 minutes of a Champions League match.

That's their task now...

Diego Costa shovels another shot over the top. Chelsea are looking to play with more urgency now but this could be a very damaging defeat. Shalke away next up - a reunion with a certain Mr. Di Matteo...

SUBSTITUTION

Edin Dzeko is on. He replaces Fernando. Go big!

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Martin Ratcliff: So City in their fourth attempt still can't get as far as Spurs did in their one try (quarters). Pathetic given their squad.

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Tom in North Wales: Yaya Toure's always had a lazy style, but tonight he's got a lazy brain.

AFP

Temperatures are rising in Amsterdam where Ajax still trail Barcelona 1-0. Barca's goal? A Lionel Messi header. The Argentine has scored 70 Champions League goals - but only four with his head. Elsewhere, Shakhtar are now 3-0 up at home to BATE Borisov.

GREAT SAVE!

Getty Images

That's better from City - James Milner breaks in to the corner of the penalty area, he hits the shot low and hard - and early - but Igor Akinfeev snakes out an ankle to kick the ball to safety.

That's kicked the crowd into life. City have 27 minutes to turn this one around.

If Maribor don't win tonight, Luka Zahovic will kick himself. He may have some team-mates queuing up to have a dig too.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Etihad Stadium

Getty Images

"Manchester City are camped out in CSKA Moscow's half but as yet have not found the inspiration or creation to cause any serious problems.

"City are just suffering from a lack of spark, even from their big players such as Sergio Aguero. He will still be the one they will look to but once again this is a team that simply does not look at home in the Champions League."

Conor McNamara

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"Maribor missed a glorious opportunity to double their lead.

"Chelsea haven't lost a competitive match since the semi-final of last year's Champions League."

SITTER!

My word! You HAVE to score that!

Should be 2-0 to Maribor as Luka Zahovic has a moment that will haunt him for the rest of his career. Mitja Viler crosses in from the left, Zahovic evades Branislav Ivanovic and has a tap-in - but he somehow blasts it over the top! The goal was gaping...

CLOSE!

Inspiration needed for Manchester City. King of perspiration, James Milner, fires in a teasing low cross but Sergio Aguero can't reach it on the slide.

Championship update

BBC Sport's Owen Phillips at the City Ground: "Dreamland for Brentford and their noisy away fans. Bad to worse for Forest and their supporters who looked utterly stunned and seemingly too shocked to boo. Kelvin Wilson's late lunge upends Andre Gray and Alex Pritchard slots home the penalty with the minimum of fuss."

EPA

Group G has suddenly got interesting. Not only are leaders Chelsea losing, second-placed Schalke, managed by ex-Stamford Bridge boss Roberto Di Matteo, are now trailing away to Sporting Lisbon after a wonderful goal by Brazilian defender Jefferson puts the hosts 2-1 ahead.

Another Portuguese team having a good evening are Porto, who lead away to Athletic Bilbao following Jackson Martinez's 55th-minute strike.

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

Getty Images

"CSKA aren't really under any pressure.

"Their keeper hasn't had to pull off save after save. It's comfortable for them at present."

Conor McNamara

BBC 5 live in Maribor

"This is one of the smaller arenas on the Champions League circuit, but it's really rocking now. Fireworks light up the sky, spreading a smell of sulphur in the air.

"Only a fortnight ago Maribor lost 6-0 at Stamford Bridge, but now they are sensing the chance of a famous scalp."

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Mark Taylor: Smalling put in a better performance than Demichelis....after he got sent off.

CLOSE!

He wasn't missing those earlier in the season! Eden Hazard slices through the Maribor defence, the ball pops up to Diego Costa on his left foot, but he leans back and slices his shot miles over the bar. Into the last half hour...

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Dan in London: Man City are looking like my team, Liverpool. Awful defending and midfielders on the ball with their hands out shouting "MOVE".

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Andrew Girvan: It baffles me how a team with top players like City haven't been able to play consistently in the Champions League

SUBSTITUTION

AP

Chelsea were outstanding for a spell against QPR at the weekend but then rather switched off, and that's what has happened tonight as well. There has been no reaction to that Maribor goal either.

Oh, here is one. Filipe Luis is hauled off and Ramires is on in his place.

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Dan Walker

BBC Sport

I think I've got the dullest tweet ever: the sum of the #CSKA shirt numbers is 317! Biggest ever?

Getty Images

Manchester City are looking so fragile at the back. If they are not careful they will ship another goal on the break and that really will be that.

Where have all the defenders gone?

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Miracle Roch: What a goal!!!

English sides are getting a lesson in Europe this week. Shoddy defending every where you turn.

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Ben in Manchester: When are the pundits going to stop blaming the fans, when it's the manager they need to be criticising for persisting with a formation that doesn't suit the players?

Conor McNamara

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"One of the great Champions League goals of the season.

"Struck from way outside the penalty area and in to the top corner.

"It's a top-class goal and Chelsea trail."

GOAL

Reuters

Wonderful finish! Poor defending again as Chelsea left-back Filipe Luis is slow out to close down Agim Ibraimi, and he is punished as the winger curls a beauty into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area!

Jose Mourinho is patrolling his technical area, a face of thunder. Is Brendan Rodgers going to be the happiest Premier League boss of the Champions League week at this rate?

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Tony at Etihad Stadium: Here at the Etihad, we're quiet because we don't believe what we're seeing. Playing two up front against a team of CSKAs quality on the counter was always asking for trouble. We can still recover this but we need to strengthen the spine.

Championship update

With Blackpool captain Tony McMahon in the changing room sent off, Scott Parker has now fired Fulham back into the game just before half-time, and the Cottagers, on the up under new manager Kit Symons, are right back in the game.

KICK-OFF

And we are back in play at the Etihad.

KICK-OFF

Have Diego Costa and Didier Drogba played together before? They are now.

SUBSTITUTION

Changes for City too. Samir Nasri and Fernandinho are on, Stevan Jovetic and Jesus Navas off.

SUBSTITUTION

Andre Schurrle pays the price or his first-half profligacy. He's hooked at half time, along with Willian. Replacements Oscar and Diego Costa come on.

Two bad

Manchester City have now conceded two or more goals in five of their last six at home in the Champions League. If you have to score three every game, you'll come unstuck in the end...

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Raj Sidhu: How many must win games are city not going to win?

Andre Marshall: EPL clubs can't defend anymore. Only Chelsea & Saints know how to it seems. Can you really win things conceding every game? No!!

Championship update

Blackpool captain Tony McMahon has had a rush of blood to the head and plunged his side into trouble five minutes before the break. He has kicked out at a Fulham player off the ball and receives a straight red card. If the Tangerines do not go on to win from here, there could be some choice words shared between him and the manager Lee Clark at full-time.

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James from London: I'm watching the City game in the library with headphones in. Turns out I don't need them

Sharif in Salford: To be fair to the fans in the Etihad, it's probably more difficult to generate an atmosphere without an away section to 'bounce' off.

Who can make the difference for City then? They have Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko and Fernandinho on the bench. They need Shaun Goater...

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Getty Images

Check out the best goals and celebrations from tonight's games on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

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Matthew Ridyard: CSKA came to Manchester with a specific, custom plan. Pellegrini just rolled out his default team. #mcfc

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Bearded wonder Franck Ribery has his second Champions League goal of the season after putting Bayern Munich ahead against Roma in Group E. Pep Guardiola's boys are on course for a fourth win in four games in the competition this season. Relentless.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Pointless co-presenter and Fulham fan Richard Osman tweets: Missing the first half of the Fulham v Blackpool match because of filming. I imagine we'll be 7 or 8 nil up be the time I arrive.

Nobody tell him that Blackpool are 2-0 up...

Championship half-time update

BBC Sport's Owen Phillips at the City Ground: "Some very ordinary football from Forest so far and the home fans are far from happy, booing the team off.

"Brentford look composed and confident and deservedly lead. A cracking strike from Jon Toral was followed by Andre Gray's calmly taken finish after a woeful backpass by Eric Lichaj. And it should probably have been more. Reds boss Stuart Pearce needs to work wonders at the break otherwise it will be 10 games without a win."

And don't forget, Bristol IS rural affairs...

Get involved with FA Cup fever

The FA Cup is doing the rounds ahead of this weekend's first round ties on the BBC.

And when it all gets under way, you can send us your photos too.

Here's seven-year-old Bristol City fan Liam Hawkins with the famous trophy.

BBC Sport

Find out where you can catch a glimpse of the cup and tweet your photos using #getcarriedaway

Conor McNamara

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"It's not been a bad 0-0 this.

"The Slovenians have had the best chance so far when Kurt Zouma cleared off the line.

"Didier Drogba had a shot saved one-on-one but it wouldn't have counted because of a foul in the build-up."

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HALF-TIME

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Etihad Stadium

"This has been 45 minutes to sum up Manchester City in the Champions League. Ill-at-ease, careless and struggling to come to terms with what this tournament requires - all played out in an eerie lack of atmosphere at the Etihad.

"City looked to be back on course after Yaya Toure equaliser but their defending has been worse than abysmal, epitomised by Gael Clichy and even the attacks have dried up. Manuel Pellegrini has 15 minutes to restore some semblance of order."

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

PA

"Over the past few seasons, we've seen a trend that defending has become unfashionable.

"Defending is more difficult now than it used to be, you've got to be clever nowadays with tricky players.

"If you're not the greatest individual defender, you've got to work on it day-in, day-out as a unit. I'm not sure coaches are dedicating enough time to that now."

Even a defeat would not spell the end of the Champions League road for Manchester City this evening. But it would put another big diversion in it.

Championship update

Empics

Ishmael Miller has been the catalyst to a tremendous start for lowly Blackpool against Fulham. The former West Brom man scored the opener and weaved his way down the right channel to set up the second.

Colourful following

Conor McNamara

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

Chelsea's support in Maribor. #CFC

BBC Sport

HALF-TIME

Jeers and a few boos as Manchester City go off. Seydou Doumbia has the magic touch against them, but City's defending was Pontins League, not Champions League.

HALF-TIME

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Dave in Salford: Sir Alex called them the noisy neighbours. Not much noise from them tonight.

"Come on City!" as a rare bit of encouragement is aimed at the Manchester City players. They have not performed at all thus far...

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James Finn: I didn't realise City had to play this game behind closed doors too...

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Mark in Hitchin: The Etihad sounds like a normal Saturday at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Championship update

Blackpool fans can barely believe their eyes. More great work from Ishmael Milleron the right, he drills it across the box and it is tapped in to an empty net by Jacob Murphy. Blackpool have not won away since April, but has manager Lee Clark breathed new life into the Tangerines?

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Dan Walker

BBC Sport

Messi & Ronaldo are now level on 70 CL goals. That's quite a lot

Messi scores

Getty Images

AFP

How many times does Lionel Messi score with his head? Well, the Barcelona man has done it tonight against Ajax to go level with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo on 70 Champions League goals.

News of another big goal as Franck Ribery gives Bayern Munich a 38th-minute lead at home to Roma in Group E.

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Chris Murray: Why do City get so much sympathy in the Champions League? Chelsea, Leeds, Tottenham and Liverpool all did better at the start

CLOSE!

The goal just won't come for Chelsea as Eden Hazard is this time denied, low and hard from 20 yards but Jasmin Handanovic gets a hand to it and turns it away.

Championship update

PA

BBC Sport's Owen Phillips at the City Ground: "Loud boos from the Forest fans now. Eric Lichaj, who has only been on for a couple of minutes for the injured Jack Hunt, plays a truly disastrous backpass and Andre Gray shows great composure to sidestep Karl Darlow and shoot home."

Championship update

Fulhamare threatening andFernando Amorebieta'swing play is causing Blackpool problems, with two crosses setting up good chances - Bryan Ruiz heading the best over the bar. At the other end Jacob Murphy has gone close to making it a dream start for Blackpool with a fizzed shot into the side netting.

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David McNaught: Man City trying to outdo Arsenal in poor and costly defending

Manuel Pellegrini could have some very difficult questions to answer if his side don't sort themselves out. They have seven minutes left of a limp first half.

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Gary Lineker

BBC Sport

Manchester City should try playing their reserves in the Champions League

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Mark Pougatch

BBC Radio 5 live

What has happened to defending in England? That was shambolic from Clichy.

CLOSE!

Reuters

Didier Drogba appears unhurt now, as he curls a free-kick at the goalkeeper. And then another snapshot from Andre Schurrle! He has some efforts in a game, this one is hard and low - but two yards wide.

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"What on earth is Gael Clichy doing?

"Martin Demichelis makes a decent challenge and then Clichy makes a wild swipe at the ball. It's just a simple finish."

GOAL

Reuters

Getty Images

Seydou Doumbia just loves scoring against Manchester City! He scores past Joe Hart again - the fifth time he's netted past them!

Gael Clichy is at fault this time, hooking a terrible clearance back across the face of his own goal, it's played through to Doumbia and he buries hard and low. Silence.

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"I think the poor atmosphere is because City have started the game a bit lacklustre.

"But, also a lot of these fans won't have shown up to this game had it not been for the ticket offer. If you're a City season ticket holder who decided not to come tonight, tell us why."

CLOSE!

Almost an increase in volume at the Etihad as Igor Akinfeev flaps at a corner, Martin Demichelis connects well with the loose ball but it's well blocked by a Moscow defender in the end.

Can City find a way through?

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Reuters

Sam Plester: Talk about quiet. Wonder what Jose would say about this Man City crowd?

Ouch!

Didier Drogba is in the wars again, he's down and hurt and needs the attention of the physio and some men in a golf buggy. He's having some work done on the sidelines. If he is crocked Chelsea will have to turn to Diego Costa...

No away fans never helps with an atmosphere. You need some constructive criticism.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Etihad Stadium

"Manchester City have not learned the lesson from the shabby manner in which they conceded that opening goal to CSKA Moscow.

"Their defending has been so sloppy that it has offered the Russians other opportunities, fortunately for Manuel Pellegrini's side they have been unable to take them but City have shown alarming carelessness at the back."

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Brad Beamer: You don't notice how bad the atmosphere at the Etihad is until there's no away fans. Dreadful, thought the TV was on mute

AP

Remember Edinson Cavani getting sent off for his trademark gun celebration last month? Well, it does not appear to have curbed the Uruguay forward judging by the way he celebrated his first minute goal against Apoel Nicosia. Paris St-Germain are still leading 1-0.

Elsewhere, Schalke went ahead in Chelsea's group against Sporting Lisbon, Islam Slimani putting through his own net before Naby Sarr equalised. It's currently 1-1. Shakhtar Donetsk, who put seven past BATE Borisov in Belarus last month, are ahead in Ukraine thanks to Darijo Srna.

YELLOW CARD

It takes a lot to put Yaya Toure on the deck, but that will do it! CSKA midfielder Pontus Wernbloom steps across Toure in full flight and takes him out. Toure is winded too, taking his time to get up. That's a booking all day long.

It's horrible though, being winded. I remember the first time it happened to me as a kid, I was convinced I was going to die. Anyway, the big man is up and on his feet again.

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Reuters

Will Jackson: There is no atmosphere at the Etihad. Fans are quiet. If City fans want their team to be successful, get behind your men.

Maribor will be happy to see the half-hour point without conceding a goal, and they're almost there. Didier Drogba barges his way through the middle, and he's in, but referee Daniele Orsato decides he used foul means.

Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter

EPA

"Those CSKA supporters who infiltrated the ground are now being led out by the police."

Championship update

BBC Sport's Owen Phillips at the City Ground: "Brentford have looked the more composed of the two sides so far. And there's the goal to prove it. A decent move on the right ended with a couple of half blocks but Jon Toral followed up to smash the ball into the far corner of the net when the ball broke on the left-hand side of the box. Bees fans are having a great time. Forest fans are already grumbling."

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PA

Richard Morris: Jovetic is running around like a headless chicken. Lost count of the number of times he has given the ball away

'You're barred!'

CSKA are banned from selling tickets to their next two Champions League away games, while the home game against Roma on 25 November will be played behind closed doors.

So if there are any Moscow fans in the ground tonight - they are in the wrong.

Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 live senior football reporter

EPA

"Some police in hi-vis jackets have gathered in a central area behind one of the goals.

"It appears some CSKA fans may have gained access in to the ground tonight."

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John Pierce: City looking to completely dominate, leaving them ripe for the counter. Keep the back door shut!

A shocker of a miss! Andre Schurrle spoons one over the bar from three yards out, a real head in hands moment, but his blushes are somewhat spared by the sight of a linesman's flag. He was offside for sure - but a World Cup winning forward should be gobbling that up.

Chelsea still on top.

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Daniel Woodley: No matter how good this City side is they ALWAYS give their opponents a chance...

Championship update

What a start for Blackpool at Craven Cottage. Ishmael Miller has poked home inside 90 seconds and the Seasiders are in front. It is Blackpool's first goal under new manager Lee Clark, and with nine points to make up on Fulham, they could could really do with seeing out the next 88 minutes.

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"Seydou Doumbia should've scored - simple as that.

"What's Martin Demichelis doing? He tries to intercept a pass, but gets caught up too far up the field.

"He looks very shakey in the middle of that defence."

CLOSE!

Reuters

As Phil says, City have settled into a rhythm - but hang on! Those defensive gremlins resurface, Seydou Doumbia is clean through the middle once more - but he shoots wide!

A golden chance. Doumbia is like Kryptonite to the Manchester City defence. Someone sign him up in January...

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

EPA

"Manchester City have now stabilised somewhat after the worst possible start when Yaya Toure's slack marking gave Seydou Doumbia a soft goal.

"City still look somewhat uneasy in these Champions League surroundings, odd given the experience in their team, but Toure's spectacular free-kick response has not only lifted a subdued crowd but also given the Premier League champions some of the self-belief they seem to require in this competition."

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Nic Billot: Yaya already trying to outdo Kolo's performance from yesterday

EPA

Who needs Zlatan Ibrahimovic when you have Edinson Cavani? Dream start for Paris St-Germain as Uruguay forward Cavani gives them a 54th-second lead against Apoel Nicosia in Group F. Ibrahimovic is nursing a heel injury.

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Josh in London: That's the Yaya Toure we know from last season. Stunning goal.

Chris in Sunderland: Early scare for City but I see them grabbing this game by the scruff of its neck and winning comfortably

CLOSE!

There is almost a goal in Slovenia - but for Maribor! Striker Tavares weaves past Cesc Fabregas and skins John Terry, a direct run through the middle and it all opens up for him. Just as he seems to be in though he decides to pass it out wide - and the chance is gone.

Shoot!

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"CSKA have come here and tried to match City in their formation.

"City are back in the game now, they just need to settle down and pass the ball around for a while, not panic.

"Hopefully they can build from here."

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Matthew Smith: Well done Yaya...atoned for dreadful defending for the first goal

GREAT SAVE!

Chelsea are all over their hosts now and Didier Drogba is the latest to threaten from the edge of the area, his shot takes a sizable deflection and Jasmin Handanovic makes a fine save. Goal on the way in Slovenia...

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"Absolutely fabulous free-kick.

"An exceptional goal to get it up and down over the wall.

"Brilliant from Yaya Toure and hopefully now he's got City back on the right track and he is also back to his best."

GOAL

EPA

EPA

You have to say that's magnificent! What a goal from the big man! This is what City's fans want to see from Yaya Toure, this is what he's capable of! A free-kick 25 yards out, Toure addresses the ball in familiar style before nonchalantly stepping up and whipping it into the top corner. Brilliant.

CLOSE!

First chance of the night in Slovenia, and no prizes for guessing who is behind it. Cesc Fabregas, who makes goals like the Wolf of Wall Street makes cash, pops up on the left wing, floats a perfect cross onto the head of Kurt Zouma - but it's over the top.

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"Jesus Navas you can tell is lacking some confidence. He got caught between two schools there, should he shoot or cross?

"In the end, he did neither and it went high and wide into the stands."

City have had a dreadful first five minutes but suddenly craft a decent opening of their own. Sergio Aguero wriggles out of the clutches of his marker, looks up and finds the overlapping Jesus Navas. The fleet-footed Spaniard's first touch is not quite right, and he then shoots over the top.

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Josh Jackman: City have started poorly - giving the ball away badly, conceding a cheap free kick. This game just got even more interesting.

Paul Moore: What is wrong with City this season. The defence looks a joke. They struggle against really weak opposition & no fight!

Didier Drogba is in the wars early doors, taking a clattering from Maribor keeper Jasmin Handanovic. Chelsea, in their bright yellow away kit, look in charge in the opening stages.

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Mark Taylor: For all us United fans here's a little Russian phrase "davay Moskve" which translates to "Come on Moscow".

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

Getty Images

"The silence is absolutely deafening. It's incredible.

"The last thing you want to do is give the opposition a leg up.

"It's a free header - seven yards out. Appalling defending, nothing Joe Hart can do."

GOAL

EPA

Reuters

Wow! What a start! I mentioned that CSKA Moscow have a camouflage style kit and it seems to do the trick, Yaya Toure completely loses Seydou Doumbia and the striker is free to head home a left-wing free-kick.

Dreadful, dreadful defending.

Conor McNamara

BBC 5 live in Maribor

"Kurt Zouma gets his first Champions League start for Chelsea tonight. I was at Shrewsbury last week when the 20-year-old started in the Capital One Cup in the centre of defence alongside Gary Cahill. Tonight he's partnering John Terry.

"For a young player, who only turned 20 in the last few days, this is a really good blooding. It's not bad being thrown-in at the deep end if you have experienced lifeguards alongside you."

KICK-OFF

Manuel Pellegrini has a last word with James Milner, and we are off...

KICK-OFF

Reuters

Under way in Slovenia...

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

"The Champions League 'anthem' roundly booed by Manchester City's fans - presumably because they were not allowed to watch the first game with CSKA in Moscow."

Countdown to kick-off

AFP

Will Luis Suarez get his first Barcelona goal against his former club Ajax? The former Liverpool forward is out on the pitch at the Amsterdam Arena warming up alongside Lionel Messi. Suarez made 110 appearances for Ajax in the Dutch top flight between 2007 and 2011, scoring 81 goals, and he played 11 times for them in the Champions League, including qualifiers, and netted five times.

Toughen up

CSKA Moscow have made the fewest fouls in the 2014-15 Champions League after three matchdays (17) and no side have been given fewer yellow cards (1).

There's your problem lads! Get stuck in. A lovely, arctic camouflage kit from Moscow this evening. There's the familiar choral anthem. Let's do this...

Suarez is back

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez: "In Amsterdam, I learned a great deal about football - that's why I am so grateful to Ajax. In Amsterdam I was able to play in the Champions League for the first time in my life.

"It is a dream come true for any South American footballer. Once this goal was achieved, the next milestone was to play for FC Barcelona and now everything seems to work out on track."

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Can the boys in blue shut the Russians out tonight? There can be no excuses made if not. City are unchanged from the Manchester derby remember.

Ten minutes away from kick-off in the Champions League. An early goal for either Premier League side would settle any lingering nerves...

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Here's what some of you have to say on the Match of the Day Facebook page about Man City's "missing ingredient" in Europe:

Joe Squire: They seem too complacent/arrogant sometimes, so maybe their attitude needs changing. They turn up expecting a win but don't hit full throttle quickly enough. When they get going they are capable of beating anyone.

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Michael John Woodbury: work as a team take your chances keep your feet on the ground.

Colin John Rudd: Bit of self belief and character! The players are good enough they just need to man up....

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Harry Partridge: In the previous 3 years City had lost just 1 more game & won 5 fewer points than Chelsea in the Group Stages. Just had bad luck

LINE-UPS

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Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Jesus Navas, Toure, Fernando, Milner, Aguero, Jovetic. Subs: Caballero, Sagna, Nasri, Dzeko, Mangala, Fernandinho, Boyata.

CSKA Moscow: Akinfeev, Mario Fernandes, Vasili Berezutski, Ignashevich, Shchennikov, Musa, Wernbloom, Eremenko, Natcho, Dzagoev, Doumbia. Subs: Chepchugov, Alexsei Berezutski, Nababkin, Efremov, Cauna, Milanov, Bazelyuk.

Referee: Tasos Sidiropoulos (Greece)

Reuters

Barcelona lost at Paris St-Germain in this year's Champions League, having been defeated by Atletico Madrid in last year's quarter-final. Surely they can't suffer a third away European loss on the trot - can they?

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Tony Jacobs: In Chelsea's first 4 seasons in the CL, 2 Semi's and a Final. And that was with back luck, bad decisions and hard groups!

This time last year

Getty Images

Who said the Champions League group stages are predictable and repetitive?

On this very night 12 months ago, Manchester City beat CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, at the Etihad.

Alvaro Negredo bagged a hat-trick in an easy 5-2 win. The same scoreline tonight would go down very nicely with the natives...

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Matthew Smith: Think all City need is some decent results against Europe's finest, got the quality just need belief!

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Etihad Stadium

PA

"Manchester City have put on a spectacular firework display in City Square outside the Etihad - no expense spared as the flares light up the sky accompanied by plenty of noise and pyrotechnics. Certainly caught the attention of the City and CSKA Moscow's players as they warm up."

Is it a Catch-22 situation for Manchester City in Europe though? They can't gain the confidence/arrogance needed to compete with the best until they win some big games - but they won't win those games until they have the confidence/arrogance required?

A managerial headache if ever there was one. Mind you, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have managed it in recent years.

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Getty Images

James in Bath: Man City just aren't a Champions League club. Compare them to Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea who have been playing in Europe since the 1990s, they just don't have the mentality.

Getty Images

BBC Sport's Owen Phillips at the City Ground: "Nottingham Forest are without a win in nine games - eight of those in the league - and the increasingly fragile confidence of the early-season Championship pacesetters took a big hit in the Saturday's 3-0 defeat against Huddersfield Town.

"But life under the guidance of Reds legend Stuart Pearce started so encouragingly and the Pearce factor is still a source of great pride and hope to supporters who have had a miserable few years.

"Despite the troubles, they are still handily placed and - with 22 points - are level with today's visitors Brentford, who are having a splendid first season back in England's second tier since the 1992-93 campaign. The Bees are unpredictable away from home, losing three of their last four on their travels, but their 2-1 win over high-flying Derby County last time out means their own confidence should be soaring."

Totti rested

Is Roma boss Rudi Garcia reading from the same coaching manual as Brendan Rodgers? After Liverpool boss Rodgers opted to start without influential captain Steven Gerrard against Real Madrid on Tuesday, Garcia has opted to start with World Cup winner Francesco Totti, Miralem Pjanic and Gervinho, who has three Champions League goals this term, on the bench away to Bayern Munich.

There is one slight difference. Gerrard was rested ahead of a big game with Chelsea on Saturday. Roma's next game? At home to Torino on Sunday.

O'Hara goes Tangerine

Getty Images

Former Wolves midfielder Jamie O'Hara has joined Blackpool on a short-term deal, but he will not be eligible for the Seasiders' game with Fulham tonight.

The 28-year-old has been without a club since he left Molineux in August, and it is a year to the day since he last played in a senior game.

"I'm desperate to get back on the football pitch," O'Hara told the Blackpool club website.

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Tom in Manchester: City have gotten a fair share of refs decisions go wrongly against them. More than most teams experience in double the amount of years! But that still isn't an excuse. It's been a combination of inexperience and naivety. They in my eyes always seem as though they don't believe in themselves, present themselves like they don't believe they deserve to be there. Need a bit more arrogance!

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Etihad Stadium

"Winter has certainly descended on Etihad Stadium as Manchester City attempt to keep their Champions League hopes alive on a cold and misty night.

"City felt hard done by when they conceded a two-goal lead to CSKA behind closed doors in Moscow - Manuel Pellegrini's side simply cannot contemplate anything similar tonight."

Suarez is back

Getty Images

Is tonight the night that Luis Suarez breaks his Barcelona duck?

Former Ajax midfielder Arnold Muhren told BBC World Service football reporter Steve Crossman: "I don't think you can replace a player like Suarez. When he was here we knew he had qualities but he also had some nasty things on the pitch. He did it again at the World Cup when he bit the Italian player, but hopefully he will learn from that. Barcelona have a very, very good player on their hands."

On Ajax's chances tonight: "Ajax will have to play at their best to get a result. They have about a 20-30% chance of winning."

BBC Radio 5 live

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini on BBC Radio 5 live: "I think it's a very important game, we must win this game as we have only two more games to play after tonight.

"It's very important to have some more points."

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Andrew Clark: To do well in the CL Man City need time. It takes a few goes to get the knack. Also the reform of the seeding system may help!

Agubata Odinaka: Man City need champions league know-how, a bit of luck and a prayer to make it in the Champions League.

Too predictable/ Not adaptable enough? Is that part of Manchester City's problem in Europe?

Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"Manuel Pellegrini seems very reluctant to change his style of play in Europe.

"He keeps saying when his team is playing well, they play in a certain way and style. But, when things aren't going so well, you have to be prepared to change things.

"If City don't win here tonight, he will have some serious questions to answer."

Last time we met

Reuters

Two-nil up at half-time and cruising, but Manchester City went on to make a mess of their midweek trip to Moscow and leave with just a point.

Failure to win again tonight and the Champions League circus may be at an end for City.

Last time we met

EPA

Eden Hazard was brilliant, Didier Drogba was back and Loic Remy twanged his groin.

Chelsea demolished Maribor 6-0 last month, the proverbial walk in the park. Same again?

Getty Images

So, after European champions Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund booked their place in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday, who will be joining them in the knockout stages?

The atmosphere is building in Munich where Bayern can join them with a win over Roma in Germany. That's the same Roma who lost 7-1 at home to Bayern in Italy on 21 October. Barcelona, despite back-to-back defeats in La Liga, could also advance if they win in Amsterdam against Ajax, who need at least a point to retain any real hope of qualifying and could be eliminated if they lose.

Paris St-Germain could also make it through in Group F if they defeat APOEL in Paris, while Porto, who are away at Athletic Bilbao, can also qualify with a victory.

Getty Images

Looks like something has to give tonight.

It is high time Manchester City ended their Champions League woes if they are to take their place among Europe's elite. Winless from three Group E matches hasn't been the best of starts but victory tonight could be the kick start they need.

It's worth a go Callum...

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Callum in Hemel Hempstead: Judging by the picture you seem to think City need a new chef!

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What do City need to add to really challenge for the Champions League?

Get in touch at #bbcfootball, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page or BBC Sport's Google+ area.

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Muhammed Owais: luck is not on City's side. only once they got favourable draw to progress to knockout stages only to be drawn against Barcelona

Team News

Getty Images

There are a few familiar faces in the CSKA Moscow line-up. Seydou Doumbia, who sparked the Muscovites' comeback after coming on as half-time substitute in the reverse fixture, is given a starting role.

Ahmed Musa, who dismissed City as "very weak" before the teams' last meeting, has got a chance to back up his theory on the right wing.

And Igor Akinfeev, once linked with Manchester United, and recently left red-faced after a 24-carat howler at the World Cup, is in goal.

CSKA starting XI: Akinfeev, Mario Fernandes, Ignashevich, Berezutski, Schennikov, Wernbloom, Dzagoev, Eremenko, Natcho, Musa, Doumbia

Firework-free zone

Getty Images

Before I forget, let's just clarify that there will be no firework-related puns on this here page this evening.

Nobody will be putting in 'a sparkling performance', the amount of shots described as 'rockets' will be minimal and under no circumstances will anyone be 'on fire'.

Got it?

Record breaker?

BBC

Lionel Messi has kept us all waiting to break the all-time La Liga goalscoring record recently. Three more and he will become the Champions League record holder as well.

How many times will he and Cristiano Ronaldo swap that record in the next few years?

Pitchside view

Conor McNamara

BBC Radio 5 live commentator at the Ljudski Vrt Stadium

BBC Sport

Here's my view at The Ljudski Vrt Stadium in Slovenia where Chelsea play Maribor tonight.

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Etihad Stadium

"Manchester City seek their first win of this Champions League group phase against CSKA Moscow at Etihad Stadium and manager Manuel Pellegrini saw enough in the derby win against Manchester United to keep the same team here tonight.

"James Milner once again starts, testimony to his quality and reliability, while Stevan Jovetic is chosen to give attacking assistance to the prolific Sergio Aguero with Edin Dzeko on the bench. City simply have to win tonight to keep their hopes of moving into the knockout stage alive."

'What's the missing ingredient?'

Getty Images

If winning the Champions League was easy, everyone would be at it.

Manchester City appear to have all the ingredients you need to challenge for the big cup, their larder is certainly well stocked, but something's missing isn't it?

But what is it? A partner for Vincent Kompany at the back? Yaya Toure's mojo? Nigel De Jong? A manager who has won the thing before? A better coefficient? Just plain old luck?

What do City need to add to to the pot to really challenge for the Champions League?

Get in touch at #bbcfootball, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page or BBC Sport's Google+ area.

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Team News

Chelsea make four changes to the team that beat QPR 2-1 at the weekend, with Petr Cech handed a rare start in goal. Kurt Zouma replaces Gary Cahill at the back, while Andre Schurrle and Didier Drogba come in for Oscar and Diego Costa, who both drop to the bench.

Chelsea XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry (c), Filipe Luis; Matic, Fabregas; Schurrle, Willian, Hazard; Drogba

Championship preview

We will also have updates from the two games in the Championship this evening, where Nottingham Forest play Brentford and Fulham welcome struggling Blackpool.

Brentford's 2-1 win over Derby at the weekend knocked the Rams off the top of the table, and the newly promoted Bees are holding their own in mid-table. They travel to the City Ground level on points with a Forest side who have stuttered in their bid for automatic promotion. Stuart Pearce's team are now without a win in eight league games and lost 3-0 at Huddersfield on Saturday.

Kit Symons has turned Fulham's fortunes around since he replaced Felix Magath in September, and the Cottagers are now four unbeaten in the league. Oh what Blackpool would give for that sort of revival under Lee Clark, who started his tenure as the Seasiders' boss with a 2-0 defeat at home to Ipswich on Saturday. His side need results, and fast - they are already nine points adrift of tonight's opponents who lie one place outside the drop zone.

Empics

Suarez is back

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Chelsea and Manchester City in action this evening then, and it's also another big night for a Liverpool old boy.

Luis Suarez makes his Champions League debut for Barcelona this evening, against the club where he really made his name.

Suarez scored 81 league goals in 110 games for the Dutch side before joining Liverpool in 2011 - a phenomenal strike rate.

He has yet to score in two appearances for Barca - got to be tonight, right?

And Luis - bring back the Bon Jovi 'wet look'...

BBC 5 live's Conor McNamara in Maribor

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"Maribor's Ljudski vrt stadium is modern, but tiny by Champions League standards with a capacity of less than 13,000.

"Close to the Austrian border, it's illuminated by the kind of tall podium floodlights you only ever see in Eastern Europe (or retro Subbuteo sets!)

"The football team is a proud institution of the city, but Maribor is primarily skiing territory, and a springboard to the nearby resorts of the Pohoje mountain range.

"Here amongst the thin mountain air Chelsea are hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season. A win will virtually guarantee Chelsea's route to the knockout stages - they will be definitely through if Sporting Lisbon drop points against Schalke - which would allow Jose Mourinho to concentrate on domestic matters until well into the new year."

Where are we?

For the ignorant among us (myself included) let's have a 30-second lesson on Maribor.

It's the second largest city in Slovenia - behind Ljubljana - and you're looking at a 950-mile trip from Stamford Bridge. Basically head through Belgium, Germany and Austria and it's on your left, just off the E59. You can't miss it.

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Can Jose Mourinho achieve what Matthias Corvinus couldn't and sack Maribor tonight?

If you hit Croatia, you've gone too far.

Maribor withstood sieges by Matthias Corvinus in 1480-1481 - you know, the King of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia and self-proclaimed Duke of Austria - and by the Ottoman Empire in 1532 and 1683. Can they shut out Chelsea this evening?

Team News

No messing about. Manchester City are unchanged from the side which beat Manchester United at the weekend.

City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Clichy, Demichelis, Kompany, Fernando, Yaya Toure, Navas, Milner, Jovetic, Aguero

In it to win it?

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Chelsea may be cruising, but Manchester City have taken only two points from their first three games in Group E.

The Premier League champions followed defeat at Bayern Munich with draws at home to Roma and in Moscow, increasing the possibility of a third group-stage exit in four years.

Failure to beat CSKA this evening would not be terminal to City's Champions League hopes and despite being on just two points, manager Manuel Pellegrini is optimistic his side can go all the way in the competition.

"Of course our target is always to try to win the Champions League," Pellegrini told his pre-match news conference.

"Maybe there are five or six squads better than or at the same level as our squad that also want to do it, but with a winning mentality and an ambitious mind, you must always think you can do it. I think we have time to prove it."

Chelsea's first trip to Slovenia this evening could see them secure a passage from Group G.

If the Blues win, and Sporting Lisbon do not beat Schalke, Chelsea are through. Straightforward?

Jose Mourinho's side beat Maribor 6-0 last month - but he believes that scoreline does not reflect the quality the Slovenian side have in their ranks.

"The 6-0 win is a fake situation. Normally Chelsea to score goals needs a lot of chances," he said.

"I need to convince the players that the game at Stamford Bridge was one of these matches where everything goes in our direction.

"I know Maribor are a good team. I analysed them against Sporting and Schalke."

No easy games...

On the brink...

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Two Premier League sides, two very different Champions League campaigns.

Victory in Slovenia this evening would see Chelsea qualify for the last 16 with the luxury of two games to spare. It's been pretty much textbook from Jose Mourinho's boys.

AP

On the other hand, anything other than victory for Manchester City tonight and they could be staring at early elimination. Or even worse, a place in the Europa League.

A key 90 minutes ahead for both sides. They may even name a first team...