Champions League 2013/14

[Lineker]

Add European nights at the Lane to the list too. Pretty much every English stadium in Europe gets that description.

[Thrilla]

I remember the heady days of Trellesbourg FK and Rosenberg gracing our ground, European nights at Ewood indeed!

[Gazz]

Is Atletico vs Real a magical European night or a magical Madrid night?

[Lineker]

Manchester City's Champions League hopes next season have been given a boost after Uefa relaxed the terms of their squad restriction meaning they only need to include five home-grown players in their squad, reports the Manchester Evening News. The Blues will only be able to name a 21-man squad for next season's competition rather than the usual 25, as part of their punishment for breaches of financial fair play rules. Uefa regulations state that eight of the squad have to be home-grown - that would have meant they could only include 13 foreign stars, and with 14 already on their books and three more expected this summer, it would have left manager Manuel Pellegrini with a major headache. But the Manchester Evening News reports that the Blues have got a concession out of Uefa and will be allowed 16 'free' players and just five 'home-grown'.

[9 to 5]

I remember the heady days of Trellesbourg FK and Rosenberg gracing our ground, European nights at Ewood indeed!

I try not to.

[Lineker]

Atletico Madrid send striker Diego Costa for treatment using horse placenta in a bid to try to make him available for Saturday's Champions League final. Costa is doubtful for the match against Real Madrid in Lisbon because of a nagging right thigh injury, but Atletico have sent him to Belgrade to seek treatment from Serbian doctor Marijana Kovacevic, who reportedly uses fluid derived from horse placenta to repair damaged cells. Kovacevic has previously treated the likes of Robin van Persie and Frank Lampard.

[METALMAN]

Add European nights at the Lane to the list too. Pretty much every English stadium in Europe gets that description.

There's nothing wrong with that. Surely everyone would agree European games are far more exciting than league games, no matter who they are against? And I'm speaking as a Kilmarnock fan, so it's not like I've ever got to see my team get far enough to play anyone particularly exciting. Still more fun though.

[brenchill]

"There will be a party in Madrid tonight, I just hope it's on the white side."

BECKHAM IN RACIST SHOCKER

[Gazz]

Ten game ban at least.

[Lineker]

Real Madrid make three changes from their last league game as Sami Khedira - just back from a serious knee injury - is handed a start. Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema all start.

Real XI: Casillas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Coentrao; Khedira, Modric, Di Maria; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo

Diego Costa is fit to start for Atletico Madrid - but Arda Turan does miss out. David Villa is the only man in this side to win the Champions League before.

Atletico XI: Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe Luis; Gabi, Tiago, Koke, Raul Garcia; Villa, Diego Costa

[Arjen Robben]

Xabi looking snappy

I love how asking a question like "are you surprised Bale fit in so quickly amongst all the massive names?" is a bit redundant now when he's probably a bigger name than a lot of them anyway. Like they're not the Galactico's anymore, but they've made it sound like he's some no name outshone by even the likes of Arbeloa, Marcelo, Coentrao, Lopez, Illaramendi etc.

[Jimmy]

I want Real to win purely for Bale.

[Arjen Robben]

I want Atletico to win purely for how much I abhor Pepe and Ramos. Don't like Ronaldo either.

[stokeriño]

I want Real to win purely for Bale Carlo.

[DavidMarrio]

Come on Atletico!!

[Kaney]

I would be happy for Real to win but I can't stand Bale so here's hoping he get red carded for diving.

[Cymbols]

Nah, we want Real to win.

[MDK]

Athletico have my full support

[MDK]

That early substitution might Costa lot later on.

[The Lusophone]

I want Real to win purely for Bale Carlo's prospects of keeping his job cos Spurs don't deserve him.