Dion Charles does well to win a corner off the 40-year-old debutant Di Maio.

First chance for Northern Ireland.

San Marino try to chip the ball in behind the Northern Ireland defence but Ciaron Brown is able to watch the ball out of play.

Jim Magilton
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio Ulster

This game comes down to mental attitude, respect the opposition but push forward

I tell you what, there's no excuses about players not being able to see each other.

That kit is briiiiight.

As expected, Northern Ireland are seeing plenty of the ball in the early stages as the teams feel each other out.

Here we go!

Keith Gillespie
Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio Ulster

If we don't get a victory here tonight there's something wrong!

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI in San Marino

The atmosphere is in full swing in Serravalle here with the Green and White Army finding their voice as the players take to the field.

Michael O'Neill's second reign as Northern Ireland manager is about to begin in earnest.

Here. We. Go.

Here's a reminder of your Northern Ireland team news as we approach kick-off.

The Green and White Army are in full voice as we get ready for the anthems.

Image source, Press Eye

The teams are coming out at the San Marino stadium.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI in San Marino

Northern Ireland will not be able to blame the pitch here in Serravalle if the worst happens tonight and they become the first-ever team to lose to San Marino in a competitive international.

It looked great when we were allowed pitch-side for Wednesday evening's training session and looks good again from the press box this evening.

Indeed, it was the first thing former NI midfielder Jim Magilton, part of the BBC commentary team tonight, commented on when we arrived for yesterday's media briefing.

If it's good enough for Jim...

Image source, Press Eye

With injuries aplenty, Michael O'Neill has introduced four new faces to his squad for the opening Euro 2024 qualifying matches.

From youthful talents to returning faces, get to know Isaac Price, Eoin Toal, Sean Goss and Cameron McGeehan, who all start on the bench this evening.

Read more.

Image source, Getty Images

Hello, this is your captain speaking.

Image source, Press Eye

Stand-in captain Craig Cathcart believes Michael O'Neill's return as Northern Ireland manager can inspire the country to Euro 2024 qualification.

Cathcart, 34, has been handed the skipper's armband for NI's opening qualifiers away to San Marino on Thursday and home to Finland on Sunday.

O'Neill led NI to their first-ever Euro finals in 2016 and Cathcart says he has brought the "feel-good factor" back.

"Yes, definitely," he said when asked if NI can qualify.

"I look back to 2016 personally and it makes me ambitious to want to get there again.

"It was a great experience in my career and probably the most enjoyable time in my career. The ambition is to do it again and I think we can do that with Michael."

Image source, Press Eye

Michael O'Neill is back, and his record in Euro qualifying is pretty good!

What's that I spy?

It's the somewhat infamous yellow away kit, which got quite the reception when it was released last year.

It is making its competitive debut tonight.

Image source, Press Eye

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI in San Marino

I know they've never won a competitive match and have the smallest population of any other Uefa member, but it still raised plenty of eyebrows in the travelling media pack when there were no local journalists at Wednesday's media briefing.

It made for a somewhat bizarre situation where it was just said travelling journalists asking questions of manager Fabrizio Constantini and midfielder Alessandro Golinucci.

Both seemed receptive to the question of whether they could break their competitive international duck against Northern Ireland - and, while their answers were not quite bullish, they did suggest they feel they have a chance.

Let's see.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sounds

You can listen live to tonight's game live on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster & the BBC Sport website from 19:30 GMT.

Michael McNamee is on commentary in San Marino alongside former NI midfielder Jim Magilton.

Joel Taggart is in studio with ex-international duo Keith Gillespie and John O'Neill.

San Marino may be the underdogs but the noises coming from their camp are bullish, to say the least.

"We are motivated, have done better recently and also scored more goals. We respect Northern Ireland but we don't want to be victims," said manager Fabrizio Constantini, who replaced Franco Varrella in the wake of a 10-0 home defeat by England 18 months ago.

"We hope it will be our first win in a competitive international. You never lose hope."

Midfielder Alessandro Golinucci, who has 40 caps to his name, said that although the players were well aware of their reputation and ranking in world football, he believes times are changing.

We are not the old San Marino, we are a new San Marino and we have potential and possibilities to do more," he said.

"We are aware that strong players in the Northern Ireland team who play for prestigious clubs are injured and we will do our best to get a good result."

Image source, Getty Images