Real Madrid vs Manchester City LIVE - Champions League semi-final first leg

Jack Grealish is hobbling all over the place here, he's come off his own challenge much worse for wear than Rodrygo.

Another foul as Rudiger takes down Haaland. Scrappy start.

Grealish goes in hard on Rodrygo and gives away the first foul of the night! Clattered him.

The world's best theme tune rings out and we're underway!

Get ready...

Okay, he's not a secret, but Erling Haaland was signed specifically for this kind of match. If he doesn't pull it out the bag tonight and in the return leg, then I hope they kept the receipt.

Let's face it, he probably will. The man can't stop scoring.

Two weeks ago, I watched Real Madrid lose to Girona 4-1 in La Liga.

They were hammered, and yet, there's little to believe that form will translate into the Champions League where they are a totally different beast.

That said, they did just win the Copa del Rey, so it's not like they're short on confidence in any case.

Remember last year when Manchester City, with the most expensively assembled defence in football history, just needed to not concede twice in three minutes to go through to the Champions League final?

I do. Of course, City did concede twice and got dumped out in extra-time.

No matter the score tonight, the second leg will be a battle, but City will fancy taking an advantage home to Manchester nonetheless.

Can they get past last year's demons?

It's that time of year the Champions League usually gets really, really good.

And there's not better match in the world right now. Probably the best team in the world vs the reigning champions of Europe.

City take on a side tonight that on almost every metric are an inferior side. But where they do have the edge on City is constantly pulling it out the bag on Champions League nights. For that reason, in many ways, they are the opposite of City.

The first leg kicks off in just under an hour so stay with us for all the build-up, hype and highlights ahead of 8pm!