Two exceptional yet flaky teams, with ludicrous attacks, startling individuals, and revolting defences, and the semi-finals of the European Cup. This can only be brilliant.

First flash of City - Fernandinho runs off Kroos to collect Navas' flick, and immediately looks to slot Aguero in behind Pepe. But the pass sends him wide than idea, and he's seen away easily enough.

Pepe plays into Bale, hugging the line, and he flicks into the path of Benzema; Otamendi hauls him back and the ref beseeches him to refrain from the same going forward. The free-kick is tumped aimlessly downfield.

Bale is playing on the right - for the time being, at least. Bacary Sagna is making long bacon at Gael Clichy.

Marcelo entices Navas to boot his midsection and ensures that the ref notices. Madrid get the free-kick forward, and win a corner on the opposite side, the City left; Clichy heads definitively clear.

The game is "perfectly set-up", says Darren Fletcher of the starting score of 0-0.

City kick-off!

The captains shake hands - Sergio Ramos has slicked back his hair such that he resembles a knight. So he's ready to go.

Tinsel and shinies descend from the stands, but Uefa's theme is still heartily jeered.

Here they come! It appears that the crowd at the Etihad has finally "taken to the Champions League". Funny that and lucky it.

The players are almost with us...

So, presumably Gareth Bale will be on the left - he appears to prefer a more central floating role, but on his natural flank still probably suits him best. He's not quite got the quickness with - rather than of - feet - to be at his best seeking space inside.

And get yer bogroll here...

Anyway, this is now an unbelievable chance for City: a team beatable in the first place missing its genius, a home leg, the best side in the world already eliminated. Madrid might still outpass them and win 2-0, but they must be starting to believe it's their year, and that makes them even more dangerous that the basic fact of them.

Ronaldo's aforementioned decent spell began against Fulham ... in August 2006, nine years, eight months ago.

Back to Ronaldo, this is a real test of his team-mates, who not only have to wear his absence but cope with learning of it late doors - which, by a queer quirk of language, precedes early doors. In a way.

City, on the other hand, will be cock-a-hoop.

There are very few players able to render any other team adjustments almost irrelevant, but there you go; such is Ronaldo, owner of the longest stream of form in the history of the game.

But, elsewhere on the pitch, Manuel Pellegrini has at last settled on a balanced side, so Fernando and Fernandinho both start, while Yaya Toure's injury means there's no him or Silva dilemma or bottlejob. Zidane, meanwhile, opts for Lucas Vazquez ahead of James.

THE LEAST INJURED FOOTBALLER OF ALL-TIME IS INJURED! In an amazing turn of events, Ronaldo, the great Cristiano Ronaldo, will not play in a significant game of association football. The cosmos shudders, the Citizens whoop.