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Follow Sportsmail’s coverage of the Champions League as Manchester City host Napoli and Manchester United travel to Benfica in their first group games. It’s City’s first appearance amongst Europe’s elite since 1968 while the Red Devils will be aiming to go one better than last season’s final defeat. Email me your thoughts on the action to dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on twitter @Ripinho.
Champions League
Benfica v Manchester United (7.45pm)
Manchester City v Napoli (7.45pm)
19.37: A fantastic atmosphere inside the ‘Stadium of Light’ (Benfica had it first Sunderland fans.)The crowd are packed inside for this one, not a spare seat to be had on a bright evening. Dare I say it, it almost feels like Euro 2004. 19.34: Here is the news on City’s line-up: England midfielder Gareth Barry is fit enough to start as Manchester City make their Champions League bow tonight.Barry had been doubtful for the Group A opener against Napoli at the Etihad Stadium after suffering an ankle injury on international duty last week.
Pablo Zabaleta comes in at right-back for Micah Richards while in-form striker Edin Dzeko returns to the side in place of the benched Carlos Tevez.19.31: Meanwhile City fans, to cheer you up check out Chris Wheeler’s piece on Roberto Mancini’s side return to the elite after 43 years.19.28: It hardly compares to Basel, Otelul Galati and Benfica in Manchester United’s group. In fact the Red Devils aside, that sort of team selection you could argue belongs in the Europa League (no disrespect to those sides.)