Champions League

Image source, Getty Images

FC Copenhagen boss Jacob Neestrup on facing Manchester City: "We know that Manchester City are a really, really good team, but just like Bayern, Manchester United and Galatasaray, their players are only human. So we play knowing we have a chance of winning, and it goes without saying that our stadium will be rocking."

Oh. My. Word. It's bouncing in the Danish capital. The teams walk out to a huge blue and white mosaic.

Harry De Cosemo
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

For Roony Bardghji, the spotlight has been a constant companion.

The teenage winger could be the major threat tonight, especially after his winning goal against Manchester United in the group stage.

Life has been hectic for the 18-year-old, known simply as Roony.

Born in Kuwait to Syrian parents, he moved to Sweden with his mother and brother at the age of six, later reuniting with his father. His footballing journey took him to various clubs, including Kallinge SK, Rodeby AIF, Malmo, and then in 2020, Copenhagen.

By the time that move was confirmed on his 15th birthday, a lot of people in Scandinavia were well aware of him. Since then, with 12 goals in 49 league games, he has justified why.

Read more here.

Champions League

Image source, Getty Images

This is just Copenhagen's second appearance in the Champions League knockout stage. They had just one point after three group games but progressed after defeating both Manchester United and Galatasaray. They were also the only team to take points off Bayern Munich. Will it be another memorable night for locals at the Parken?

Manchester City

Image source, PA Media

Man City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to TNT Sports: "The Champions League is special. Especially away in the last 16. Hopefully we can get a good result for the second leg in Manchester."

On Copenhagen's winter break: "They will have full energy in the tank to play games. Momentum is momentum. We start from zero again and we have to be ready."

On starting strong: "In the Premier League we have 45 points to play, we cannot draw a match because the competition is so strong. We know we can be out here, it happened in the past."

On Erling Haaland: "He got two goals in the last game and step by step, he'll get there."

Image source, Getty Images

RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose on Real Madrid: "They have developed outstandingly this season and have become one of the strongest teams in Europe.

"They are in exceptionally good shape in all areas. They know what it means to play in the Champions League and win it, too.

"We know about their qualities but we're not a bad team ourselves, and we have great footballers in our ranks.

"We will give everything and look for our opportunities to have a good start in the tie."

Nigel Rothband
The Man City Show podcast

Many supporters understandably thought the Club World Cup competition in December was a major distraction. In the eight matches prior to the tournament, City won only three, and in the eight games since winning the competition they have not lost any!

With Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne back to full fitness, and with no more distractions, it will be interesting to see what sort of unbeaten run Manchester City could put together as they continue their quest for an unprecedented back-to-back Treble.

Strap in.

Manchester City

Image source, Rex Features

Pep Guardiola has urged Erling Haaland to focus more on feeling relaxed than scoring goals. Haaland, 23, recently returned from two months out through injury and Guardiola feels the prolific Norwegian has been preoccupied by quickly getting among the goals again.

"He is defined on goals, but it is not just scoring a goal," Guardiola said. "As much it's how he is clapping, encouraging his mates and the first intense press. This is what we need from Erling.

"But we cannot forget he has been two months out. Back to the dynamic is not easy. He's a huge competitor who wants to score goals. OK, we know that, so relax.

"If we don't score today, or if he doesn't score in 10 minutes, it's OK. In the process he has to try because the team always wins when they overcome bad moments."

Champions League

FC Copenhagen manager Jacob Neestrup, speaking to TNT Sports: "I have a lot of games where the pressure is huge in the Danish league and the cup. I would say one of the reasons why we've done so well in the Champions League is because the pressure is not huge."

Playing after winter break: "The advantage is of course there is a hunger to play a game like this. The disadvantage is we go from our training camp straight into this. We've done everything we could to make our training games as competitive as we could. Of course, it's difficult to go from the training pitch to the playing the best team in the world."

On the atmosphere: "I felt the historical culture at Old Trafford, but the energy we have in Copenhagen is huge. It's a massive game for us and the 35,000 fans today will do all they can to carry us forward. I have a strong belief we can do it."

Image source, Getty Images

Jude Bellingham's absence is obviously a huge blow for Real Madrid but just how influential has he been?

The answer is very.

He has created more chances than any other player from open play in the Champions League this season (15).

Six of those have come from what Opta describe as a "line-breaking pass" and nine from ball carrying.

He has either scored or assisted in all five of his Champions League appearances for Real Madrid so far.

With four goals and three assists, no player has been involved in more goals in the competition this season.

Champions League

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on facing FC Copenhagen: "We have seen what Copenhagen can do against Manchester United and Galatasaray in a really tough group. When I saw what they did I thought 'wow'.

"They will be starving to compete and full of energy. I don't know what their rhythm will be like but hopefully we will be at a good level to compete.

"We have to be prepared mentally. We have to be ready to suffer as it will be a tight game. Normally, my gut doesn't lie to me."

Mikkel Bischoff
Former Man City and Denmark defender on BBC Radio Manchester

Image source, Getty Images

I've been to many stadiums and I think for European nights, Parken is up there with the best. It's intense - they are singing throughout.

Copenhagen won't want to be seen as minnows - they'll want to be seen as a competitive team that can play against the best teams in Europe.

Stephen Warnock
Former England and Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

John Stones and Rodri are the two most important players in this Manchester City side. The size of Rodri is incredible but his sensing of danger is quite remarkable.

Champions League

FC Copenhagen include Scotland defender Scott McKenna, who is making his competitive debut for the Danish champions after joining on loan from Nottingham Forest at the end of January.

Winger Diogo Goncalves was on loan at Forest in 2018-19 while Mohamed Elyounoussi's former clubs include Southampton.

Substitute Jordan Larsson is the son of Henrik, whose former clubs included Manchester United.

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti on RB Leipzig: "We are playing well, and are motivated and excited to return to the Champions League, a competition we like a lot.

"We are up against an opponent with great quality, one that plays with a lot of intensity. We must be at our very best, both defensively and offensively.

"Leipzig are a team that competes, that fights, that has good individuals.

"They were 2-0 up against Manchester City in the group stages so clearly they have a lot of quality."

Ally McCoist
Former Rangers striker & manager on TNT Sports

Yes, Manchester City are favourites. More of a surprise for me is that Bayern Munich are second favourites. For the first time, Manchester City won all their group games and they look the real deal.

Image source, Getty Images

A reminder that this season's Champions League final is at Wembley. Manchester City will be visiting the national stadium on 25 May and 1 June if they reach the FA Cup final and Champions League final.

Image source, Getty Images

Last season Manchester City's Erling Haaland finished as the competition's top scorer with 12 goals from 11 games.

This term the Norwegian has netted five goals from five group games, putting him level with Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata, and Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund at the top of the competition's goalscoring charts.

Though Hojlund's United are no longer in the tournament, there are plenty of players from English clubs who could still challenge Haaland's title.

Fellow Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez and Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus both have four goals in the Champions League this season, while City's Phil Foden and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka have three each.

Last season, after scoring five goals in the groups, Haaland hit five in one match against RB Leipzig in the last 16.

Is there room for more individual brilliance 12 months on?