UEFA.com's network of correspondents across Europe are on hand to keep you up to date with the latest team news, build-up and press conference snippets ahead of UEFA Champions League matchday five.
Click on the links at the bottom of this article for background on any of the 16 fixtures. A preview of the upcoming round of group games can be found here.
All times CET.
Despite Manchester United's cautious displays of late − Sir Alex Ferguson's side have won three of their last five games 1-0 − the English press expects an open game, with the Guardianpredicting Wayne Rooney will partner Javier Hernández in a 4-4-2 formation.
Their Portuguese counterparts are not so sure, though they acknowledge triumphing at the home of last season's finalists would be a huge boost ahead of Benfica's weekend derby with Sporting Clube de Portugal. "Winning would be excellent of course," says O Jogo, "not only for Benfica's international image and affirming their progress in the Champions League, but more essentially for the motivational impact victory over the English champions would have ahead of receiving their neighbours."
Genk travel from Liege to Valencia this morning with Anele Ngcongca back in the fold. The defender was left out of the weekend win against KVC Westerlo after arriving back late from international duty with South Africa. "I had a good talk with Anele and we have closed that case," said coach Mario Been, who continues to be without Torben Joneleit, Jeroen Simaeys, David Hubert and Abel Masuero.
"Valencia will be very tough but it will be a good experience," he added. "We should not show too much respect, like we did at Chelsea. But we also should not go forward like fools."
Benfica coach Jorge Jesus claims he has devised a plan to beat United at Old Trafford and the idea has caused a stir in Portugal, with Lisbon paper Record writing: "Benfica think big – Jorge Jesus knows how to beat Alex Ferguson. The strategy is to defend well and counterattack."
Midfielder Nicolas Gaitán came in for special praise from Sir Alex Ferguson after the sides drew 1-1 at the start of this campaign, and the Argentinian told O Jogo: "Their coach said nice things about me and Pablo Aimar, and that was a little bit strange as I didn't expect Sir Alex Ferguson to do that. It was a great joy for me, because I work for that. It was something that filled me with pride."
He will look to draw more admiring glances by leading his team to victory tonight. "Why not?" he explained. "In football anything can happen. There is always a chance of winning and we go to Manchester with the intention of bringing home a victory. Every player dreams of featuring in a match like this. I hope the coach will give me the opportunity to face United again."
Benfica's visit to Old Trafford finds United in stirring form, but with memories of their 6-1 home defeat by City still lingering, the Manchester Evening News wonders whether Sir Alex Ferguson's men have lost a bit of their early-season swagger. "The Premier League champions have dug in since the derby mauling at the hands of City to record five wins in all competitions, all achieved with without conceding a goal," it writes. "But the adventure and thrills of their early season goal blitz has faded."
City are very much the team of the moment, and as they head for an exciting tie at Napoli, the Daily Star is foaming with excitement. It writes: "How good are the Premier League leaders? What level have they reached? Can they raise themselves even higher? All these questions will be answered tonight.
"Mancini has always insisted he would do this City job his way and this season is the evidence. He is in control and moving towards the greatest season in the club's history. Tonight will reveal so much about this talented side, who seem able to score goals at will."
Autumn has finally arrived in Naples, where drizzle and low cloud are greeting the travelling supporters, from whom even the sight of Mount Vesuvius is concealed by the low grey clouds. Such conditions, however, are nothing new for the fans who have arrived in their droves from the Rainy City, and only a volcanic eruption would keep the home fans away tonight.
There are many similarities between Napoli and Manchester City, not least the passionate support that both enjoy. In the last five years, the clubs' fortunes have taken a dramatic turn for the better, recollections of playing third-tier football − in Napoli's case as recently as 2006 − thankfully consigned to history. Now Roberto Mancini and Walter Mazzarri's charges are in the running for their domestic titles and European honours. This is their time.
At the pre-match meeting ahead of Madrid's game against Dinamo, we discovered that 300 Croatian fans are set to roar the visitors on at this famous stadium tonight.
The weather in the Spanish capital is not so great; it is a dark and rainy morning, and things are not expected to improve before kick-off.
Swiss newspaper Blick has its fingers crossed for Basel as they head to Romania to take on Oţelul, needing a win to set up a potential winner-takes-all game against Manchester United on matchday six. "If FCB get three points, they will have a direct duel with United for a place in the next round." Captain Marco Streller told the paper: "It is our dream, to have a final against United."
Corriere dello Sport expects death-or-glory stuff at the Stadio San Paolo, where Napoli take on City needing a win to sneak into the qualifying positions. "Napoli v Balotelli, just like a final," it writes. Mario Balotelli is in fine form and the sports paper identifies him as a major threat, but the visitors will need to keep an eye on Edinson Cavani, who said: "I want to score a goal to make the whole city go crazy."
In Turin, La Stampa focuses on Inter, arguing that the UEFA Champions League "has suited them better than any other competition this season". Inter have been shaky in Serie A, but will confirm a round of 16 place with victory at Trabzonspor. "The injury list is always long at Inter, and in Trabzon the team will be without key man Wesley Snejider again," La Stampa writes.
"The good news is that the former European champions have not made a false step since losing to the Turkish side [in their opening Group B game] and their efficiency in Europe represents the only crutch for a team which has limped this season."
Spanish sports daily AS has charged Nuri Şahin with leading Madrid's charge against Dinamo, with José Mourinho expected to give the Turkish international the chance to prove himself in the position usually occupied by Xabi Alonso.
"Both Şahin and Hamit Altıntop should be invited to play today against Dinamo. Şahin, in principle, will make his first start. The best player in last season's Bundesliga has been made to wait three months, since the start of the league campaign. Given the rapid develoment of this side, the new signings have almost gone unnoticed. However, the schedule demands that Şahin takes a chance and shows his class – or at least allows Xabi Alonso a rest."
Villarreal, meanwhile, head for Bayern with their chances of a round of 16 place already gone. Valencia newspaper Las Provincias has not entirely abandoned hope of a UEFA Europa League berth, though.
It writes: "It is not a likely scenario, but Bayern are not unbeatable at home; in fact, Dortmund won 1-0 here on Saturday. In addition to what happens on the pitch in Munich, Villarreal will be keeping an eye on what happens at the Stadio San Paolo, where City must beat Napoli for the Yellow Submarine to have a chance of a UEFA Europa League place."
Local newspaper Le Progrès is under no illusion as to the task Lyon face when they take on Ajax, needing a victory to have a realistic chance of progressing. However, there is a modest air of optimism in the press box.
"The Stade de Gerland is not the fortress it used to be; the last two visitors to come here were comfortable in different competitions. Within the space of a fortnight, Real Madrid [2-0 winners on matchday four] and Stade Rennais FC [who won 2-1 in Ligue 1 on Friday] ended an unbeaten Lyon home record that had lasted over a year. The future is not entirely blighted, however, and Les Gones intend to rally and put recent lapses behind them."
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said yesterday that he plans to have Arjen Robben in the starting lineup against Villarreal, even though the Dutch winger only made his comeback after a seven-week break to recover from groin surgery against Dortmund on Saturday. That is making Bild a little nervous. "Robben at risk!" it writes. "Heynckes lets his star practice in the Champions League."
Munich-based tz is more concerned about another player. "Can Bayern not do without Schweinsteiger?" it wonders. "It is a fact that since Bastian Schweinsteiger has been absent through injury, the authority of German's most-titled side has gone."
Russian sports daily Sport Express fancies Zenit and CSKA's chances ahead of crucial games against APOEL and Lille respectively.
"The instructions for both Zenit and CSKA are simple − win both remaining games, earn some important points for Russia's UEFA coefficient and follow the direct route to the play-offs, like one of those parades you see at Red Square. That would be an ideal scenario where we do not need to analyse any other permutations. However, in life and in football, we do not always get what we want.
"So we are chasing two hares and hoping to catch them both, but why not? After all, we are hunting in two different places − in Moscow and Saint Petersburg."
Tuesday 10.00, UEFA.com newsdesk
We have previews for all of tonight's games, and special focus pieces on Napoli's Edinson Cavani, Lyon defender Cris andLille goalkeeper Mickaël Landreau, as well as a video onBenfica's hopes for a win at Old Trafford.
This rolling news article will keep you abreast of what is going on ahead of all of today's games, with special attention being paid to the pre-match press conferences ahead of Wednesday's fixtures.
Football is a game of two halves and sometimes a team achieves perfection for only half of a game. With that in mind, we would like to know what is the best 45 minutes in the history of the UEFA Champions League?
Liverpool FC's comeback in the 2005 Istanbul showpiece to Manchester United being 4-0 up at the break against AS Roma in the 2006/07 quarter-final second leg are just two examples which spring to mind. Leave your thoughts here.
Before the day's press conferences get under way, a gentle reminder that there are a number of ways to win with UEFA.com, including Predictor, Player Rater, and Classics. There are some great prizes on offer.
Tuesday's fixtures
Wednesday's fixtures
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