Image source, Getty Images

Off we go! Under way in both Champions Leagues last-16 first-leg matches.

Great atmosphere in Gelsenkirchen as the stirring Champions League anthem belts out. The two sets of players shake hands and we are moments from kick-off. Can Schalke keep Real at bay?

Image source, Getty Images

Right then, five minutes until kick-off in both of tonight's games. Can they make it 10 wins on the bounce in the Champions League?

Jason:, external Tells you the standards he is setting, he's been quite unfortunate not to score, I'm sure he will change that tonight.

Stephan Mostert:, external Three games is a disaster for him but still incredible for anyone else! Form is temporary, class is permanent!

Join in via #bbcfootball,, external text in on 81111 (UK only) or have your say on the BBC Sport Facebook, external and Google+, external pages.

Image source, Getty Images

How's this for awkward?

After last night's Champions League game between Paris St-Germain and Chelsea, Roy Keane, who was part of ITV's coverage team for the game, and Sir Alex Ferguson - at Parc des Princes as a spectator - both ended up on the same flight home.

According to the Guardian,, external the pair blanked each other as Keane sat impassively by the window while Ferguson sat three rows back on the other side of the plane. It is the first time the two have bumped into each other since Keane's autobiography release, with both having used their books to have a pop at each other.

How I'd love to have seen them both waiting awkwardly at the baggage carousel, trying not to catch the other's eye....

Image source, Getty Images

No English team in action tonight, but check out this stat - two Champions League matches, 12 English officials!

FC Schalke 04 v Real Madrid

Referee: Martin Atkinson (Eng), Assistant Referee 1: Michael Mullarkey (Eng), Assistant Referee 2: Stephen Child (Eng), Additional Assistant Referee 1: Andre Marriner (Eng), Additional Assistant Referee 2: Craig Pawson (Eng), Fourth Official: Darren Jon England (Eng)

FC Basel v FC Porto

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Eng), Assistant Referee 1: Simon Beck (Eng), Assistant Referee 2: Stuart Burt (Eng), Additional Assistant Referee 1: Anthony Taylor (Eng), Additional Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Friend (Eng), Fourth Official: Gary Beswick (Eng)

Image source, ChampionsLeague

For those of you who love Uefa introducing a new, super-improved football, here's the Berlin-themed official match ball, external - to be used for the first time in tonight's Champions League.

Image source, Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo's recent form has not made him the target of boos, but Gareth Bale has had to endure plenty of criticism from some sections of the Real Madrid fans this season.

After Real were hammered 4-0 by Atletico Madrid earlier this month, headlines screaming 'Disaster'. 'Irrelevant'. 'Listless' dominated Spanish newspapers when describing Bale's performance.

Speaking in an advert recently about criticism,, external Bale says he does not let it bother him: "You hear some of the things being said but you are purely concentrated on the game and focused on doing what you are doing."

Image source, Getty Images

His acquisition cost Real Madrid a reported £9.7m and Lucas Silva arrived at Real Madrid a winner in January.

The 22-year-old has already won the Brazilian league twice with Cruzeiro and was an ever present on their run to the title in 2014.

He is more of an anchor man than a Galactico who will set new goalscoring records but with a five-and-a-half-year deal at the Bernabeu, plenty of opportunity to add to his trophy collection awaits.

Daniel Woodley: Been looking forward to these games all day! Basle v Porto is an intriguing match-up, and Real Madrid have a point to prove!

Join in via #bbcfootball,, external text in on 81111 (UK only) or have your say on the BBC Sport Facebook, external and Google+, external pages.

Image source, Getty Images

Crikey, if making your Champions League debut as a 19-year-old isn't intimidating enough, how about doing it when you have to face Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

Timon Wellenreuther, 19, is doing just that as the teenager starts in the Schalke goal.

Image source, AS

The Spanish media is starting to show their concern about Cristiano Ronaldo's form. AS states on its cover 'The Time of Champions' with a sub heading of: "Time for Cristiano to score. Three games since he last scored."

Image source, Marca

Marca also suggests that it is time for Cristiano Ronaldo to show his phenomenal ability once again, with the headline: "Time to get out the tunnel".

Image source, ChampionsLeague

This will be the view, external that greets the Schalke and Real Madrid players when they walk out onto Veltins-Arena turf in just under 40 minutes. Seemingly hewn from rock.

Better than those fold-out canvas job, isn't it?

Middlesbrough's FA Cup run was ended by Arsenal last weekend so it's back to the number-one target for Aitor Karanka's side tonight.

Boro, who have won their last five league games, are chasing promotion to the Premier League and a point at mid-table Birmingham will take them top of the Championship.

Giant-killing Bradford are still going great guns in the Cup after reaching the last eight and promotion is also on the agenda for Phil Parkinson's Yorkshiremen. They are aiming for the League One play-offs and a win at Leyton Orient would put them within a point of the top six. However, the O's know a victory would lift them out of the drop zone.

John McEnerney: Tonight might be the night for Real Madrid, and Ronaldo to get his groove back. Ronnie has to play - he's a goal machine! An away win for Real.

Join in via #bbcfootball,, external text in on 81111 (UK only) or have your say on the BBC Sport Facebook, external and Google+, external pages.

Image source, Getty Images

With centre-back Fabian Schar suspended, Basel coach Paulo Sousa brings in veteran Argentine hardman Walter Samuel. Fabian Frei - who scored the goal at Anfield in December that effectively knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League - replaces Mathias Delgado in midfield, while Derlis Gonzalez comes in for Davide Calla on the wing.

Just one change for Porto from the side who beat Vitoria de Guimaeres in the league on Friday night; on-loan Barcelona forward Cristiano Tello replaces Ricardo Quaresma, who drops to the bench. Watch out for Jackson Martinez, who has scored 12 goals in his last 13 games.

Basel XI: Vaclik; Xhaka, Suchy, Samuel, Safari; Elneny, Frei, Zuffi; Gonzalez, Gashi; Streller.

Porto XI: Fabiano; Danilo, Maicon, Marcano, Alex Sandro; Herrera, Casemiro, Oliver; Tello, Martinez, Brahimi.

It's an alright spread tonight for Europe's football reporters in Gelsenkirchen, judging by this snap, external of meat, currywurst, spuds and carrots posted by Uefa reporter Andy James:

Image source, UEFAcomAndyJ

Image source, Getty Images

Before Jose Mourinho, there was Roberto Di Matteo.

Mourinho may be far more successful at "parking the bus" than the Chelsea team bus driver was last night, but another former Blues boss also has a penchant for packing the defence when needed.

Current Schalke boss Di Matteo packed the Chelsea defence to get a draw at Barcelona in the Champions League back in 2012 and secure a 3-2 aggregate win, before overseeing another impressive defensive display against Bayern Munich in the final to win on penalties.

He is once again using that tactic again Real Madrid, spreading five across the back to stifle Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

It could be a frustrating 90 minutes ahead for the visitors...

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid hand a Champions League debut to midfielder Lucas Silva following his move from Cruzeiro in January.

The 22-year-old has only played once from the bench in La Liga since moving to Spain. Dani Carvajal comes in at right-back for Alvaro Arbeloa, Pepe returns at central defence in place on Nacho.

Manchester City loanee Matija Nastasic plays in the competition for the first time in a Schalke shirt and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar faces his old club.

Schalke XI: Wellenreuther; Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Nastasic, Aogo; Neustadter; Hoger, Boateng; Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar.

Real Madrid XI: Casillas, Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Kroos, Lucas Silva, Isco, Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema.

BBC Radio 5 live

If you have just got in from a day at work then stick BBC Radio 5 live on at 19:00 GMT, as Mark Chapman presents the day's sports news and interviews.

Then from 21:00 GMT it's the Wednesday Night Club in the company of Chappers, Bolton boss Neil Lennon and reporter Jonathan Norcroft.

Contact 5 live Sport by texting 85058 (UK only) or on social media., external