Image source, Getty Images

And we are playing at a quiet Etihad.

Game on in Germany...

John Terry gets another pennant for his collection as he swaps pleasantries with Schalke skipper Benedikt Howedes. His loft is cluttered with them you know. Can't move for them up there. He'll be up there in a fortnight, rooting around looking for the Christmas tree lights.

The players are in the tunnel, referee Pavel Kralovec lines them up. Let's get this night under way!

The Champions League anthem is heartily booed...

Robbie Savage
at Etihad Stadium for 5 live Sport

Image source, Getty Images

"If you want to be a club recognised around the world then success in the Champions League is a must. If Man City go out of the group stage then there will be big question marks about Pellegrini's future."

Alan Green
at Etihad Stadium for 5 live Sport

"The owners of City feel very differently about the Champions League than the fans do. City have failed miserably in European football, miserably.

"I was amazed to find out this morning that tickets were still available. I just do not understand that, just as I don't understand the tepid atmosphere here at the Etihad on European nights.

"This season reminds me so much of Roberto Mancini's last in charge, and I think if City exit at these group stages then Pellegrini too will be shown the door."

Michael Blighe:, external Sacking Robson was awful, but dumping Chris Hughton was worse in my opinion. We beat Villa 6-0, Sunderland 5-1 and Arsenal 1-0 with him.

Newcastle United sacked Hughton in December 2010 and put reserve team boss and ex-Magpies striker Peter Beardsley in charge of first team affairs.

Image source, Empics

From Concord to Chelsea. We are under 10 minutes away from kick-off. All set?

BBC Sport's Chris Osborne at Aspect Arena

Ladies and gentleman. I present to you the magic of the FA Cup from the Concord Rangers press box.

Tonight is the final FA Cup first round replay - the winner faces Cambridge.

We can all be as confused as we like, as long as Manuel Pellegrini knows what his side need to do to stay in the competition. He's got a good track record at that...

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola has won nine of the 11 meetings between himself and Manuel Pellegrini...

Prateek Singh:, external Jose Mourinho getting sacked at Chelsea the first time he was in charge...

Mourinho stunned the world of football by leaving Stamford Bridge by mutual consent in September 2007. So not quite a sacking, Prateek.

"I want to thank all Chelsea FC supporters for what I believe is a never-ending love story," Jose said at the time.

Image source, Empics

Roberto Di Matteo has just had a cordial stop-and-chat with members of the Chelsea backroom staff. That guy who was 'interpreter' for Claudio Ranieri is still there. The great survivor of Stamford Bridge...

Robbie Savage
BBC Radio 5 live

Robbie Savage looks at which players might be safe at the Etihad Stadium if Samir Nasri's predictions of changes should City fail to advance in the Champions League come to pass.

"You've got to say the spine of the team - Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and David Silva.

"There are five players there who are top drawer.

"After that, Edin Dzeko has done well when he has started games but Eli Mangala is not proven yet and there are a lot of players who haven't produced."

Image source, PA

"We need to do something or otherwise next year it's going to be new players and new everything."

Samir Nasri knows that failure is not an option in Europe for Manchester City, with the midfielder predicting a big clearout if their poor displays on the continent continue.

"Let's be honest, with the salary of every player and the level of those players, 90% of the team are world class, then not to qualify from the first round of the Champions League would be a huge blow for the club - and for us as well," Nasri told national newspaper reporters.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan and the Abu Dhabi ruling family have spent £750m on players alone since their August 2008 takeover. Ouch...

BBC Radio 5 live

Commentator Alan Green and former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage will be talking you through every pass, shot and tackle at Etihad Stadium.

The pair are providing live audio commentary as Manchester City aim to keep their European dream alive against German powerhouses Bayern Munich. And the 5 live team will also have updates from the FA Cup tie between Concord Rangers and Mansfield.

Josh Venables:, external Although Pochettino did an equally fine job, Nigel Adkins from Southampton was one of the harshest sackings in my book.

Southampton sacked Adkins in January 2013 - he had taken the Saints from League One to the Premier League with successive promotions.

"For the club to progress and achieve our long-term targets a change was needed," Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese said in a statement.

Image source, Empics

Follows the runners and riders in the race for a place in the last 16 in the Champions League via BBC Sport's Champions League tracker.

Image source, Jimmy Smallwood

Still confused about what that late equaliser for CSKA Moscow means? Join the club.

However, from the horse's mouth itself, Uefa has spelled it out for me/you.

• Bayern had won the group before today.

• Roma's hopes were hit by a late CSKA equaliser but a win against City on 10 December at Stadio Olimpico would definitely take them through.

• CSKA were heading out until they scored against Roma. However, they trail Roma on head-to-head so still need a result at Bayern in two weeks.

• City can afford to lose today but unless they win they will definitely need three points in Rome.