Richard Browne: City's squad is so far above everyone else's there's no reason they can't win everything. Everyone else is playing with one hand behind their back.

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Phil Foden is set to play in the Champions League knockout stage for a fourth season before turning 21, only the third player to achieve that. The others are with Cesc Fabregas (2004-05 - 2007-08) and Theo Walcott (2006-07 - 2009-10).

Borussia Monchengladbach and Manchester City are facing each other for the seventh time - this is the most games for either teams against a single opponent in European competition.

City are unbeaten against Monchengladbach in the Champions League (won three, drew one). However, their only previous encounter in the knockout stages saw Gladbach beat City 4-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals of the 1978-79 Uefa Cup.

Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis at Nielsen's Gracenote said: "Manchester City's form over the last few months means they are now ranked the best team in Europe by the Euro Club Index., external

"Their rise is reflected in how much their chance of winning the Champions League has changed, improving from 15% to 28% since the second-round draw was made just over two months ago.

"Manchester City have drawn the second-weakest team left in the competition with Borussia Monchengladbach currently ranked 27th by the Euro Club Index, two places above Lazio. City's chance of progressing to the quarter-finals is 89%."

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Oh yeah, text and tweet in your thoughts.

Atalanta are the first team since Sevilla (2007-08 and 2009-10) to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League in each of their first two appearances.

None of their 15 Champions League games has ended goalless. An average of 3.5 goals have been scored in each game.

Last season was the first time they played a Spanish side - they beat Valencia 8-4 on aggregate.

Real Madrid have won each of their last five Champions League away games against Italian opposition.

They have reached the knockout stages for the 24th consecutive season, the longest run in the history of the competition - although needed to win their final group game to do so.

Madrid have won their last four La Liga games to play themselves back into the title race.

Image source, EPA

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini says his side, who reached the quarter-finals last season, remain wary of the threat posed by the Spanish giants.

"We can't change our characteristics, which allowed us to reach the Champions League and be competitive in Italy," said Gasperini.

"We won't change the team, but we have to be attentive and take some precautions. We want to challenge the absolute best teams and we feel in the right condition to give it our best shot.

"Real Madrid are transformed in the Champions League. I don't believe much in their absences, you can take away the talent, but the Real team seen in these last few weekends was a more humble side, which is a quality."

Jordi Alba has put Barcelona 3-0 up against Elche in La Liga. Two assists for Martin Braithwaite.

Image source, EPA

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane: "We’re doing well and want to keep it up and put in another good performance.

"It's a different kind of game, it’s a Champions League match, but that doesn't change anything for us.

“We're excited to do as best we can and reach the final. Everytime Real Madrid take to the pitch, we do so to win.

“Atalanta are a very attack-minded side. We know just how good they are and that they’ve got some very good players. They’re an extremely fit team. Atalanta and Real Madrid will serve up a good game of football."

Zinedine Zidane says he was not willing to risk players today amid a bit of an injury crisis.

Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard, Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal and Marcelo are among the players to miss out.

"We never take risks," said Zidane about top scorer Benzema.

"Maybe we would if it was the Champions League final or the last game of the league season with the title on the line, but there's a long way to go."

Speaking of a La Liga giant...

Spanish La Liga

Barcelona are in La Liga action tonight. They led Elche 2-0 thanks to a Lionel Messi double.

BBC Radio 5 Live

You can listen to build-up of this game on BBC Radio 5 Live. Just click the play button near the top of this page.

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City & QPR defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

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Pep Guardiola knows what he wants from each position on the field - that's not necessarily related to the player. He wants his six to do this, he wants his nine to do this and he wants his two to do that. So the people that go out onto the field need to represent that vision but there is a difference between having a vision and being able to coach it into the players. He makes players better - what he wants from them he is able to teach them and they buy into it.

So as a consequence it doesn't really matter who is playing in the team, you still know what you're going to get. That's credit to Pep and the coaching staff because that takes a lot of time. Players have bought into Pep's philosophy, they understand it and they're thriving under the system.

Image source, Reuters

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said last season's Champions League exit will not provide an extra source of motivation this year.

City beat Real Madrid at the same stage last year, but then lost 3-1 to Lyon in a one-legged quarter-final in Lisbon.

"It is not something that is forgotten, to be honest," said Gundogan.

"But it is not something that gives us any extra motivation. It is a new year, a new option, a new chance and a new challenge. We just try to do our best, as we did in the past."

Manchester City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola to BT Sport: "Every game is a new one, what we have done in the past is in the past. They can change their shape and the way they play, they have good movement in behind in the German style. All the teams are good at this stage.

"We have been here many times which helps. Rotation when you are winning is always a big decision, I believe that in this incredible amount of games, not training much, everyone has to be involved. We will change five or six players against Southampton next too."

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

How strong is that Man City bench? Kevin de Bruyne, John Stones, Riyad Mahrez, Sergio Aguero - it's super strong. It can be Man City's year this year, I think they could do the quadruple with the squad they've got at the moment - I think they have a great opportunity.

Real Madrid
Real Madrid

Image source, BBC Sport

Some easy team news from Bergamo - Atalanta are unchanged from the team who beat Napoli 4-2, while Real make just the one change themselves.

Isco comes in for Mariano.

Image source, BBC Sport