Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Champions League between Manchester City and AS Monaco.

When you have always reached the semi-finals of a certain competition, it becomes a priority to prolong that record and Pep Guardiola faces that scenario ahead of this tie. During his time with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the so-called master technician never failed to reach the last four but he probably faces his toughest test to continue that streak this time around.

You can arrive at that conclusion a number of different ways. Despite the talent at his disposal, City are not yet in the same ilk as Guardiola's sides at Barca and Bayern, while they come up against a Monaco team full of confidence and with a tag of underdogs that they will relish. When the draw was made in December, City were said to have been handed a favourable draw but given Monaco's form on the domestic scene, that could not be further from the truth. This has all the makings of a very lively clash.

Anyway, without further ado, let's crack on with the team news. Guardiola has made seven changes from the FA Cup tie with Huddersfield Town at the weekend.

MANCHESTER CITY XI: Caballero, Sagna, Stones, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Sane, Silva, De Bruyne, Sterling, Aguero

MANCHESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Bravo, Zabaleta, Fernando, Nolito, Navas, Delph, Iheanacho

AS MONACO XI: Subasic, Glik, Raggi, Mendy, Sidibe, Fabinho, Bakayoko, Silva, Lemar, Mbappe, Falcao

AS MONACO SUBSTITUTES: De Sanctis, Diallo, Toure, Dirar, Moutinho, Carrillo, Germain

What do you make of that team, City fans? It's fair to say that Guardiola hasn't held back with his offensive philosophy. Bacary Sagna, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi form a back three, with Fernandinho and Yaya Toure in front, but the rest of the lineup is all-out-attack. Sergio Aguero also gets another opportunity, despite failing to score since January 6.

As for Monaco, Leonardo Jardim includes the talented Kylvan Mbappe and the in-form Radamel Falcao in his frontline while he includes all of his experienced and regular players in defence. He even has that much talent quality at his disposal that Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho only earns a place on the bench. The Ligue 1 leaders match up well with City.

Back to the City team news and there is a suggestion that Fernandinho may line up at right-back, with Sagna taking his place on the other side of defence. I guess that makes sense, but Guardiola also has the option of lining up with three at the back. I guess we shall wait and see.

This would usually be the point where we bring you the head-to-head stats but we can't on this occasion because there are none! This is the first time that the two clubs are squaring off in a competitive match, although it's obviously not the first time in which Monaco have faced English opposition...

During the group stages of this year's competitions, Monaco recorded 2-1 victories both home and away against Tottenham Hotspur, marking the second successive campaign in which the sides had faced each other in Europe.

During 2014-15, Monaco were drawn with Arsenal at this stage of the Champions League and a shock 3-1 win at the Emorates Stadium laid the foundations for a famous triumph. Chelsea and Liverpool also played Monaco in the Champions League over a decade ago but as already stated, this is the first time that City have been handed a game against the Monte-Carlo-based outfit.

It appears that City have a new walkway in operation with the arrival of Aguero being warmly welcomed by the club's supporters. They've universally backed the Argentine who had previously been dropped from the team but the pressure is building on him to regain his goalscoring touch. If reports are to be believed, he is playing for his future at the club.

Quite an entrance made on the new walkway!

Get more from behind the scenes on our Instagram Story (@ManCity) #cityvmonaco pic.twitter.com/SfCkJpf4w7 — Manchester City (@ManCity) February 21, 2017

Much has been made of Monaco's players ahead of this game so let's go through their stats, shall we?

Falcao - who failed miserably at both Manchester United and Chelsea - can boast a phenomenal record this season, with 19 goals from 25 appearances to his name, while Thomas Lemar and Mbappe have been equally productive from the wing, with nine and 10 goals to their name respectively.

Many other names stand out, too, with Fabinho - a former target of Man United - scoring five times in 25 games and Valere Germain - on the bench this evening - netting eight times in Ligue 1. City really cannot afford to focus all their attentions on Falcao, who is bound to get a mixed reception when getting on the ball tonight.

We have just 15 minutes to go until kickoff at the Etihad Stadium. That means that it's about the right time for a prediction...

PREDICTION! You'd like to think that this game is guaranteed to produce goals. Both sides are about much more than their work in the final third but they both possess the quality to overpower the respective defences. That bodes well for Monaco and we think they will return to Monte Carlo with a 2-2 draw.

Before the two teams make their way out, let me remind you that this isn't the only game on offer for you this evening. We also have full coverage of the match involving Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid, which you can access by clicking here.

Here come the two sides to a warm reception from the two sets of supporters. Also, here come the boos for the UEFA anthem from the City supporters...

Monaco get us underway.

Monaco have started this match really positively and have already earned a corner. It came to nothing but it's a definite show of intent from the visitors who as expected, look full of confidence.

A word on Fernandinho - he out's on the left while Sagna is on the right. Neither man has been required in an attacking position thus far but City are starting to press more now.

SHOT! The first shot of the match comes from Monaco's Lemar, who fires wide of the post from 20 yards. He netted against Spurs at Wembley Stadium earlier this season.

BOOKING! This is one of the harshest bookings you will ever see. Glik is adjudged to have blocked Sane on the flank but there is barely any contact. To make matters worse, he is now ruled out of the second leg.

Monaco look a threat ever time they break forward and they are ready to get shots in on goal from anywhere within 30 yards. It means that Caballero is having to remain alert but thus far, he hasn't had any saves to make.

This is class from Bernardo Silva. It's a ball you would expect off David Silva but it's the Monaco midfielder who produces a world-class through-ball to almost find Falcao, who is only denied by some good defending.

Wow. This is outrageous from Mbappe. He turns Otamendi, runs directly at the City defence and then leaves a City defender on the floor with a turn. His pass finds Mendy but his shot is straight at Caballero.

CHANCE! Another chance for Monaco. A corner from the right is glanced onto the head of Glik by Toure, but the Monaco defender can't do enough to direct the ball into the bottom corner. It's a tough opportunity, but he will be disappointed not to have scored.

City need to find a way of calming the match down. They have having joy in the final third without creating any opportunities but as soon as they lose the ball, Monaco press forward.

Much better from City as De Bruyne almost finds Aguero inside the six-yard box. The cross was almost too good. City kept up the pressure but they could not fashion a clear-cut opening.

BOOKING! Sidibe is the next Monaco man to go into the book and on this occasion, it is deserved. The defender cynically pulled back Sane.

City take the lead! They have probably been second best in this game but they have gone ahead in fine style. Silva did well to release Sane inside the penalty area and his first-time cross found Sterling for the simple finish at the back post. It may have been about an inch offside but the goal has been given.

We are through the half-hour mark at the Etihad Stadium and Guardiola will not only be delighted to be ahead, but not to have conceded an away goal too. Monaco look very capable in the final third and they just aren't getting the rub of the green at the moment.

It had to be, didn't it? Monaco are back on level terms but it's yet another defensive mistake from City. Caballero is the guilty party on this occasion, with his clearance going straight to a Monaco player and after the ball arrived at the feet of Fabinho, he whipped in a cross for Falcao to head home at the back post.

BOOKING! This an absolutely huge call from the referee. Subasic appears to bring Aguero down in the penalty area but the referee has booked Aguero for diving. There is two pieces of contact from the goalkeeper so it's an outrageous decision from the official. How important could that be?

BOOKING! Sterling also received a yellow card for his protests. He now misses the second leg. Regardless of the referee getting the decision wrong, that is stupid from the winger.

BOOKING! Fernandinho is now booked for fouling Fabinho. That's three in five minutes for City!

Now Monaco take the lead! It's all going on at the Etihad Stadium. A ball over the top catches out Otamendi and Mbappe is able to take a touch before firing the ball into the roof of the net. What a first half.

CHANCE! Monaco are not finished here and want a third. Another swift break-away ends with Falcao receiving the ball inside the penalty area but he lashes the ball into the side-netting.

The half-time whistle goes at the Etihad Stadium and everyone finally has chance to breathe. It's been an enthralling opening 45 minutes in the North-West and I don't think we are finished.

The two teams are back out for the second half. Apparently, Sterling wasn't booked in the first half so I must apologise for calling him stupid.

City get us back underway.

No-one really knows what is happening. City appear to have a goal kick but the official behind the goal says that Otamendi has fouled Falcao.

MISS! Falcao takes an age to take it and then produces a poor penalty which is saved down by Caballero to his left. That feels like justice.

City have been given a lifeline by Caballero but it's still Monaco who press. Dodgy decisions aside, they have been sensational this evening.

BOOKING! Yet another booking from the referee and this time it is for Bakayoko, who upends Sterling. That's six yellow cards for the night. Otamendi was booked for the penalty incident.

I feel shattered bringing this match to you. I can't imagine what the players feel like! The defending hasn't always been great, the decisions from the referee have been worse, but this is one of the most incident-packed games of the season so far.

The goalless streak is over! Aguero hadn't scored since January 6 but he stops the rot with the luckiest of goals. He is released on goal by Sterling and his first-time shot is straight at Subasic. However, the goalkeeper allows the ball to go straight through his hands and into the net. What. A. Game.

Oh my word. There are not enough superlatives for this goal. Falcao chases down Stones, muscles him off the ball and after breaking into the penalty area, produces the deftest of chips to lift the ball over Caballero and into the net from no more than 16 yards. Unbelievable.

The Etihad Stadium can't believe what they have just seen. Neither can I. City are back on the attack but they are shell-shocked.

BOOKING! A seventh yellow - this time for Falcao, who catches Stones down the shin. It's mistimed, rather than a naughty one.

I feel as though I am doing you a disservice if I don't bring you a goal, chance or card. It's been one of those game. One of the best enthralling in the Champions League in recent years.

CHANCE! Mbappe possesses such composure and confidence for a teenager. He twists and turns inside the penalty area before hitting the ball into the side-netting.

This is one of the greatest games I have ever seen. Aguero gets his second with a volley into the bottom corner from 12 yards after meeting a corner from Silva. What a finish. What a match.

BOOKING! Zabaleta is now cautioned for the smallest of tug-backs. That's number eight.

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!

A corner from De Bruyne is flicked onto the back post by Toure and Stone is there to convert at the back post. That's all you are getting. I need to lie down.

CHANCE! Now Aguero should probably have his hat-trick. The Argentine has the opportunity to move through on goal but pressure from a defender forces him to take his shot early and Subasic makes the save to his left. There are still 10 minutes to go.

The best match I have ever watched. Ever.

Aguero is released into the penalty area and with the goalkeeper approaching, he slides a pass across to Sane who taps home into an empty net.

CHANCE! It should be 5-4!!! Caballero has made an absolute worldie of a save. Falcao connects sweetly with his first-time shot from eight yards but the City stopper sticks out a leg to keep it out.

SUBSTITUTION! Guardiola opts to bring on Fernando for Aguero. A wise move, perhaps.

SUBSTITUTION! Another City change, with Jesus Navas now replacing Sterling.

There will be three minutes of added-on time. How there is that little I will never know.

The full-time whistle goes at the Etihad Stadium and somehow, someway - City have won 5-3 and will take a two-goal advantage to Monte Carlo. I don't know how to process that game. We had eight goals but there were more cards! Unbelievable.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us this evening for what has been one of the great nights in this competition. Goodbye for now.