Clearly it is because Chelsea have white ones, but Real's black socks don't look right.

N'Golo Kante makes sure Toni Kroos knows he's there, wrapping his leg across the German to concede a foul. It allows Real to cross into the box but Thiago Silva is there to head away.

Sergio Ramos is called properly into action for the first time as he comes across to intercept a long ball forward. Calmness personified, he cushions a volleyed pass to a team-mate with minimum fuss.

Don Hutchison
Ex-Liverpool midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

I can't wait for this. I think it is going to be a cracking game: whether it's cagey or not.

The tactics are going to be very important; there are too many good players on show not to produce a good game tonight. It'll be fascinating to see which way this will go and the balance that the game swings...

Are you ready? Then we'll begin...

Louise95: Chelsea, I think, will come up short tonight. I think we are in for a surprise. CITY v MADRID FINAL. calling it now.

The teams are out, the anthem is playing. Time to find out which of these two will be going on to face Man City in Istanbul.

Here is a reminder of the two starting XIs...

Image source, .

Image source, .

Don Hutchison
Ex-Liverpool midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

I've seen some Manchester City fans on TV today say they want Real Madrid to win this because they think they will have more chance of beating Madrid in the final than Chelsea.

I think Liverpool fans were feeling the pressure of facing an English side when they played Tottenham in the final a few years ago. Liverpool were always destined to win that game when Harry Kane was ruled out, but they were scared stiff of getting beat by Spurs. It's that 'you'll never hear the last of it' feeling.

That's why Man City want Real Madrid. If you lose then you can save a little bit face against a European opponent. They'll be pushing for a Madrid win - but I hope Chelsea get there. It would be amazing to potentially have two English teams in the Champions League final and Europa League final.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Drive: "Chelsea have the momentum and are confident. Real Madrid were not at their best in the first leg but this is still unpredictable and open.

"Manchester City deserve to be in the final. They're strong as a team. Look at the way they celebrated when they made a tackle. That's a new spirit.

"For me Manchester City are still favourites. It doesn't matter who goes through tonight."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have progressed from five of their past seven knockout ties in the Champions League when avoiding defeat away from home in the first leg.

However, as a little warning from history, one of these two eliminations came in their last semi-final appearance in the competition, v Atletico Madrid in 2013-14.

They drew the first leg of that game 0-0 and then proceeded to suffer a 3-1 home loss in the second leg.

You may remember it. Jose Mourinho was in charge and was undone by a superb counter-attacking display from Atletico, spear-headed by one Diego Costa.

Richard Browne: As with City last night, Chelsea simply have a far better squad than Real. Barring any clangers, another all England final should be guaranteed.

Ayush Goel: Come on Chelsea. Time to get the job done.

Image source, Getty Images

With 5,000 Chelsea fans as part of a 45,000 crowd in Athens, the Blues led just before the hour through a Peter Osgood goal. They were denied, though, in the 90th minute Ignacio Zoco took advantage of some shoddy defending to level.

The late Peter Bonetti would be the hero in extra-time, producing a number of saves to keep Real at bay and force a replay that caught everyone off guard. Uefa apparently hadn't even considered that a replay might be required, prompting some hurried arrangements to get one set up for 48 hours after the initial game. Some Chelsea fans took to sleeping on the beach in order to extend their stay in Greece for the game.

Image source, Getty Images

Only 19,000 fans attending the replay, but those of a Chelsea slant would never forget it. Goals from John Dempsey and and Osgood gave them a 2-0 half-time lead. Sebastian Fleitas pulled one back for Real with 15 minutes to go but Chelsea held on for their first European title.

Image source, Getty Images

The Blues' infamous 1970 FA Cup final win over Leeds (which some bloke wrote about here, if you're interested... he said, shamelessly), meant entry into the defunct European Cup Winners' Cup competition.

As other avenues to silverware disappeared over the course of the 1970-71 campaign, Europe emerged as their sole route to success. They did not waste it.

Aris Salonika, CSKA Sofia and Club Brugge were all beaten en route to the semis, which set up a contest with... well would you believe it - Manchester City.

Both teams were hit by injury, but it was the Londoners who made it through, winning both legs 1-0 to set up a showdown with Real.

Real weren't quite as good a side as they had been in the 1950s, when the likes of Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo di Stefano made them arguably the greatest club side of all time, but they could still pack a punch. But so could the Blues.

To be continued...

This is the fifth time Chelsea will face Real Madrid in European competition. Interestingly, they are actually unbeaten against Europe's true heavyweight in the previous four, winning two of them and drawing four.

Also of note is that this will be the first time across the five meetings that Chelsea have hosted the Spanish side.

All of the other games have either been finals or semi-finals played on neutral ground or in Madrid.

The very first meeting between the two is a pretty big one in Chelsea history...

Real Madrid are winless in their last four away games against English sides in the Champions League (D2 L2), scoring only two goals across the four games. Their last such victory was against Liverpool back in October 2014, winning 3-0 in the group stage.

Image source, Getty Images

Tonight, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is looking to secure his fourth progression in four Champions League semi-finals, which would equal the record for most semi-final progressions by a manager in competition history (along with Sir Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi).

Considering this and his many other managerial achievements, remains a mystery why there are those who still question his ability? They do, though.

As French journalist Julien Laurens put it on a recent Euro Leagues Podcast: "You don't win three Champions Leagues, two La Liga titles and 13 out of 14 European knockout ties if you are not a good manager, this is crazy."

If you want to hear more on this subject from both Laurens and other top European football writers, have a look here.

Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter

I think N'Golo Kante has been rejuvenated under Thomas Tuchel.

Last week in the first leg, I thought he was outstanding; he was here, there and everywhere. He is the catalyst that drives them forward.

He was driving Chelsea forward against Madrid. For what he has won in the game: Premier League, Europa League, the FA Cup, he's chasing his fourth trophy.

He could be the catalyst for Chelsea tonight - if he can repeat what he did last week.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Drive: "Everything looked a bit different at the start of the season and now Chelsea are in a great position to reach their first Champions League final since 2012.

"Chelsea look very comfortable and strong, especially at the back, with 17 clean sheets overall since Thomas Tuchel arrived.

"It's always difficult if you re-join a club after being such a legend as Frank Lampard was as a player. Thomas is a smart guy and showed that when he went to Paris St-Germain.

"At Chelsea he has brought the team spirit together. There are still some improvements to be made but if you want to win titles you need to stabilise the defence and that's what he has done."

Chelsea are still the underdogs to reach the Champions League final. This is due to a combination of Real Madrid's higher ranking (fourth as opposed to Chelsea's ninth) on our Euro Club Index and reduced home advantage for the Blues because of the lack of spectators at Stamford Bridge for the second leg.

Chelsea's chance of eliminating Real Madrid and reaching the final is estimated at 44%, up from the 37% chance they had before the first leg. Chelsea's chance of winning the Champions League remains at 15%.

Image source, Gracenote

The Chelsea midfielder - and former Real Madrid player - is ruled out of tonight's tie with a hamstring injury.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Stamford Bridge

After the horrendous weather at Etihad Stadium for Manchester City's Champions League semi-final against Paris St. Germain last night, a huge hailstorm has now hit Stamford Bridge in a deluge that has sent people running for cover.

Once again more December than May here in London for this second semi-final between Chelsea and Real Madrid to decide who faces Manchester City.