19.30 – So… as forever-cool rock combo Whitesnake sang… here I go again on my own. We’re going minute-by-minute from a balmy, packed Bernabe… no, actually we’re in the office watching TV3 like the rest of you. But the football promises to be – to quote Danny Dyer — proper tasty. We’ll concentrate on the intriguing meeting of Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City and Real Madrid, who are managed by on J Mourinho. The two managers don’t like each other much and they have some pretty handy players too, which is probably more important.

Get the kettle on… this could be a good one.

19.34 – But the Real Madrid v Man City showdown isn’t the only game in town of course. Oh no sir! Sky Sports are showing Arsenal v Montpellier and, like Sarah Palin and Russia, we’ll keep an eye on that, as well as the rest of the night’s pairings.

Let’s have some teams then shall we? City coach Roberto Mancini has made four changes to the side that started the 1-1 draw with Stoke City at the weekend with David Silva, Gareth Barry Gael Clichy and the 19-year-old Serbian debutant Matija Nastasic getting the nod while Mourinho has dropped Sergio Ramos. Big call, Spesh.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Khedira, Alonso, Essien, Di María, Ronaldo, Higuaín.

Man City: Hart, Maicon, Clichy, Nastasić, Nasri, Javi García, Barry, Silva, Yaya Touré, Tévez

19.46 – And we’re up and running. “What does the night have in store” asks Trevor Welsh, next to Lou Macari in the Spanish capital. A cup of tea and a Snickers for me anyway, Trev, for a start. Any predictions out there? We’ve got a few copies of Robbie Keane: A Striker’s Story for anyone who’s on the money.

19.54 – 9 minutes. Good save from Hart. That man Ronaldo again cut inside, leaving a flat-footed Kompany nowhere, before trying to place it past the England shot-stopper. Hart got down quickly however to put it behind for a corner.

19.58 – If you’re taping the other game or hope to watch the highlights later without knowing the result, this isn’t the place for you. Arsenal have gone one down in France with Belhanda converting a penalty, after he was fouled by Vermaelen.

20.02 – We’re 15 minutes into this game in Madrid and City are lucky to be nil as the old joke goes. Joe Hart has pulled off another great save though he probably knew little about it ultimately. Ronaldo again unleashed and it struck striker Higuaín on the way through, deflecting it wildly. Hart kept it out though, using his chest.

20.07 – Bloody hell. Arsenal have notched two quick-fire goals in France putting them 1-2 up against Montpellier. First Podolski equalised and then Gervinho turned in a cross from Jenkinson. 20 minutes gone there. In Madrid, Joe Hart has again denied Higuaín, standing tall when he went through one-on-one.

20.17 – The Ray Wilkins roof comment debate rumbles on. Another reader writes: “Some of the newer modular builds do put the roof on first. Just sayin..” Top, top building.  As I write, Yaya Toure looked to have found a gap in the Real defence for the first time but his final ball is a little heavy. We’re over a half an hour in now and though the home side have been well on top they haven’t managed to convert that into goals just yet. Lou Macari reckons they think they can do so at any time and aren’t in much of a rush.

20.21 – In Paris, PSG seem to be enjoying life in the Champions League again; they’re 3-0 up against Kiev thanks to goals from new guys Ibra, Alex and Thiago. Samir Nasri, is going to be replaced in Madrid meanwhile, as the Frenchman seems to have twinged a muscle. Kolarov is ready to go.

20.24 –

• History is made by Zlatan. With that penalty in Paris, he becomes the first player ever to score for six different clubs in the European Cup. Not bad I guess. (via @2010MisterChip and Paulo Bandini)

20.59 – The second half? It’s just like the first. Man City are pinned back deep in their own half, inviting the likes of Ronaldo and Di Maria to take pot shots and attempt to find gaps in the thin blue line. One of these efforts is going to beat Joe Hart eventually you feel.

21.11 – GOAL! Real Madrid 0 Man City 1 Smash and grab. Toure drives forward, squares neatly for substitute Edin Dzeko and the big striker strokes it home. that’s unbelievable. Almost 70 minutes on the clock.