Cristiano Ronaldo must have an injury. Surely.

Anyway, we are back under way.

Image source, EPA

Here he is. Colombia's hottest export since Shakira is coming on - it's James Rodriguez on in place of Cristiano Ronaldo. I didn't expect that!

Real Madrid gather in the tunnel - James Rodriguez has been going through a very rigorous warm-up, is he coming on?

It's midnight in Madrid. Wednesday.

We are about to have the second half.

We asked who you think will win the Champions League.

Harvey Wright:, external Liverpool to go far given their history.

Michael Tombs:, external Chelsea will go very close to winning #ChampionsLeague this year.

Dr Holmes:, external I am looking forward to Liverpool this season in the Champions League too. Entertainment guaranteed!

Diego Simeone will be happy enough with this showing, the second leg is over the city at the Vicente Calderon on Friday night.Real have one trophy in the bank and want six altogether this season.

Carlo Ancelotti meets the referee on the side of the pitch. He's not happy, but it's goalless at the interval. Almost midnight in Madrid.

A few whistles around the ground as we approach half-time. When you assemble a team of so many stars you maybe expect a supernova of a performance.

We asked who you think will win the Champions League.

John McEnerney:, external Bayern will be the team to beat. Do you think those WCup winners will sit back on their laurels? No chance! Unstoppable!

Zak Bakur:, external Apart from Real Madrid and Barca. Closest challenger to the CL has to be Jose's Chelsea! There's quality in every position

Stephen Shaw:, external CL final Chelsea-Real. You probably didn't hear that here first

It's not so often you see Gareth Bale out on the left wing any more, but he made a goal from there in Cardiff last week and almost does again, whipping in a brilliant cross which Cristiano Ronaldo attacks, only to head wide.

Image source, AP

Toni Kroos and Luka Modric link up smartly in the midfield, before Modric spins out of a tackle, leaves one man for dead with a bodyswerve and then hits a low shot which deflects wide. Outstanding stuff. Xabi Alonso is then booked for the hosts for a cynical check.

Diego Godin scored a header in the Champions League final between these two sides back in May, and he causes havoc again, flicking a header back into the middle and Iker Casillas flaps at it, Mario Mandzukic then tries to lift the ball back over the top but Casillas grabs it.

Atletico a real threat in the air.

It's extraordinarily early days - of course - but who are you backing to win the Champions League this season?

Can anyone get near Real Madrid or Barcelona? Bayern Munich in with a chance? Jose Mourino capable of steering Chelsea all the way?

Let us know. You can text in to 81111 (UK Only), tweet us at #bbcfootball,, external post on our Facebook page, external or message us on our Google+ page., external

Andrew: Real Madrid look frightening on the break, they could sweep all before them this season. The pace of Ronaldo and Bale is scary to see.

Sheelagh: After his heroics at the World Cup this summer, James Rodriguez still has to settle for a place on the bench! That just goes to show the sheer strength, depth and quality of this Real Madrid squad.

Andrew, Richhill: I know no team has ever retained the Champions League trophy, not the great Juventus team of the late 90s, not the untouchable Barcelona team of 2009-12 nor the ruthless Bayern Munich of the last two seasons. Having said that, I can't look past this Real Madrid side retaining their CL crown this season. Their already strong side has been strengthened even further in the summer. Beware Europe!

Still all Real in the Bernabeu, but they don't look at their most incisive best this early in the season. James Rodriguez could well make a difference at some stage.

A bit of late transfer news which has come through this evening, Brazil's World Cup goalkeeper Julio Cesar has joined Benfica after being released by Queens Park Rangers.

The 34-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Portuguese club.

Image source, Reuters

No Thibaut Courtois for Atletico Madrid this season of course, and they've gone for Miguel Angel Moya in nets tonight. He came in from Getafe, and they also have big-money signing Jan Oblak available. That could be a battle throughout the season.

Gareth Bale beats his man for pace and spins in a cross which Karim Benzema can't get on the end of.

Is Sami Khedira off then? There will be a large queue of suitors for the German midfielder, but I can't see him getting much football for Real. Toni Kroos, Xabi Alonso and Luka Modric will all take some shifting.

The visitors have been penned in but they go direct and it works, Mario Mandzukic finding space on the corner of the penalty area and hitting a dipping shot which is held by Iker Casillas. Decent hit by the Croatian.

And then a bigger chance! Mistake at the back from Sergio Ramos and Saul is in, he hits it early but Casillas saves again.

Better ball Saul...

I'm going to stick my neck out here and predict at least one red card in this one. Gareth Bale is taken out in full flight by Guilherme Siqueira and goes in the book. That was high and rash by the Brazilian left-back, who has replaced Chelsea's new man Luis Felipe.