Image source, AP

Bayer are taking the game to Atletico early on and they are so very nearly ahead. A corner is swung in from the right, goalkeeper Miguel Moya flaps and misses, and home defender Wendell shoots towards goal from 20 yards. The ball, which is driven into the ground, is diverted goal wards by Emir Spahic but Mario Mandzukic is well placed to hack clear off the line.

Andy in Armagh: Griezmann and Mandzukic have been in great form for Atletico this season. The club has an uncanny knack of unearthing world-class attacking talent, selling them onto the big clubs for huge sums of money, then find more world-class talent. Think of Torres, Aguero, Forlan, Falcao, Costa etc...

Antoine Griezmann is flagged offside as he heads over just yards from goal. Replays show he is yards on and he should do better. Atletico will be dangerous from set pieces - they always are.

A lightening quick break from the hosts as Hakan Calhanoglu breaks with pace through Atletico's midfield. The ball is worked to Lars Bender on the edge of the penalty area but his weak shots dribbles wide.

Image source, Getty Images

What do you think? Who are the favourites for this tie? Tweet #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK users only).

Image source, AFP

A vibrant atmosphere at the BayArena. The stands are a sea of red and the bouncing and singing has been long since under way, Now we just a need a match to live up to its surroundings.

Game on.

Bayer Leverkusen XI: Leno, Hilbert, Spahic, Papadopoulos, Wendell, Bender, Castro, Calhanoglu, Son, Bellarabi, Drmic.

Atletico Madrid XI: Moya, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira, Tiago, Gabi, Arda, Saul, Griezmann, Mandzukic.

Image source, Getty Images

If a two-legged tie against Atletico wasn't daunting enough, the stats don't help Leverkusen's cause.

Bayer have lost their last seven games in the Champions League knockout stages, they haven't progressed further than the last 16 since they were finalists in 2002 and have been eliminated in the last 16 the last three times they made it to the knockout stages.

When you consider they have failed to score in the last 197 minutes in the Champions League - the longest current drought among the 16 teams left in this season's tournament - it does look an uphill task.

Here come the teams...

Domestically, neither side are pulling up trees this season.

Atletico are third in La Liga, seven points behind leaders Real, while Bayer are sixth in the Bundesliga, some 22 points behind champions Bayern Munich.

It doesn't look as though either of them are going to win any silverware in the league this campaign...

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Also in action are Arsenal v Monaco at Emirates Stadium this evening and you can follow a live text commentary on that game here. You can also listen to commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.

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A quick sneak peek inside the Atletico Madrid dressing room prior to their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena.

Bayer Leverkusen manager Roger Schmidt restores Germany midfielder Lars Bender to the starting eleven following Saturday's 2-2 Bundesliga draw with Augsburg. Emir Spahic comes in at the back with Turkey international Omer Toprak suspended.

Bayer Leverkusen XI: Leno, Hilbert, Spahic, Papadopoulos, Wendell, Bender, Castro, Calhanoglu, Son, Bellarabi, Drmic

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has to do without midfielder Koke after he sustained a hamstring injury in the 4-0 La Liga victory at home to rivals Real Madrid earlier this month. Fernando Torres is on the bench.

Atletico Madrid XI: Moya, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira, Tiago, Gabi, Arda, Saul, Griezmann, Mandzukic.

Image source, Champions League

Good evening and welcome to live text commentary of an intriguing last-16 first leg tie between Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen in the BayArena.

Neither side are exactly regulars in the latter stages of the Champions League and both will see this tie as the ideal opportunity to reach the quarter final.

For once though, Simeone's underdogs are probably the favourites.

Atletico Madrid were undoubtedly the headliners across the European Leagues last season as they broke the duopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid to win La Liga, before reaching the Champions League final for just the second time.

They looked to be heading for a historic double until Sergio Ramos's injury-time header took the final into extra time and, from there, all hopes were extinguished as Real won out 4-1.

One-season wonders? Try telling manager Diego Simeone that.

Image source, Getty Images

A measly two minutes. One hundred and 20 seconds. One Sergio Ramos header.

That was all that stood between glory and failure for Atletico Madrid as hearts were broken against their bitterest rivals in last season's Champions League final in Lisbon.

Now, they are back and looking to put wrongs right. They can't go all the way again. Can they?