Evening all! Our Champions League coverage continues from Madrid this evening as Real Madrid welcome Danish outfit Copenhagen to the Bernabeu. As mentioned, the home side began their campaign with a 6-1 win over Galatasaray on matchday one, while Copenhagen collected a point in a credible 1-1 draw with Italian champions Juventus.

The clash this evening will be the first time that the two sides have met in European competition. Madrid have not faced Danish opponents since 1994, but they have won eight of their 10 competitive fixtures with teams from Denmark, scoring an incredible 40 times in the process and conceding just 10.

Odense are the only Danish side to have beaten Real Madrid in European competition, with that win coming in December 1994 in the UEFA Cup. However, no Danish side has ever beaten Spanish opposition in the Champions League (two draws, four defeats). Therefore there is also some national pride up for grabs for the away side this evening.

Copenhagen have previously tasted success against Spanish opposition, however, picking up a point in a 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the 2010-11 campaign, but they were beaten in the reverse clash in Spain. The Danish outfit’s only away win in the Champions League came in September 2010 when they overcame Greek outfit Panathinaikos.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS: No Sergio Ramos in the Madrid XI this evening, while, as expected, Gareth Bale misses out. Isco drops to the bench, with Sami Khedira and Luka Modric both coming into the team. Copenhagen have four Danes in their XI, while former Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg starts in defence. Full teams to follow.

TEAMS:

REAL MADRID: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Modric, Illarramendi, Khedira; Di Maria, Benzema, Ronaldo

COPENHAGEN: Wiland; Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Mellberg, Jacobsen; Claudemir, Delaney, Gislason; Braaten, Jorgensen, Toutouh

So there we have it. Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is able to call upon Marcelo this evening, who has recently recovered from injury. Meanwhile, Raphael Varane comes into the defence for his first start of the season. For Copenhagen, Braaten, Jorgensen and Toutouh will all operate in advanced areas, but there is no room for Belgian striker Vetokele in the starting XI.

As mentioned, Real Madrid have already collected three Group B points having thumped Galatasaray 6-1 in their opening match of the competition. They found it tough against the Turkish outfit in the first period, before a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick helped them on their way to all three points. It was just about as comprehensive as it gets away from home in the Champions League.

Not only have Real Madrid scored in each of their last 26 Champions League matches – which is a record – they have won more games than any other club in the history of the competition (106 wins since the 1992-93 campaign). The capital outfit are also unbeaten in their last 12 home games in the Champions League, winning 10 times during that period.

If Copenhagen are to secure a positive result this evening, then they will surely have to keep a certain Cristiano Ronaldo quiet. To suggest that the Portuguese likes this competition would be the understatement of the century. The forward has scored 24 goals in his last 20 Champions League matches, a quite incredible statistic at this level of football.

Los Blancos exited in the semi-finals of this competition for the third year in succession last season when they were beaten by Borussia Dortmund, who topped their group. A Real Madrid vs. Barcelona final had been predicted, but it was the Germans that prevailed with Dortmund clashing with the eventual winners Bayern Munich in the final of the competition.

Copenhagen did not feature in the Champions League last season, however, after losing 2-1 on aggregate to Lille in the final qualifying round. There is no question that they are the underdogs to advance from a group that also contains Galatasaray and Juventus, but they will have gained confidence from their 1-1 draw with Juventus on matchday one.

As mentioned, Real Madrid enter the match off the back of a disappointing home defeat to Atletico Madrid in La Liga at the weekend. The result was the club’s first loss of the season, but it has left them already playing catch-up to Barcelona and Atletico, who have 21 points to Real Madrid’s 16 after seven matches of the new season.

Their problems pale in comparison to Copenhagen, however, with the Danish outfit currently sitting second from bottom in their domestic table. They have taken just 10 points from their 10 matches, while they enter the match off the back of a disappointing 3-2 defeat to rivals Brondby at the weekend.

However, the reverse against Brondby was Stale Solbakken’s first defeat as manager after taking over from Ariel Jacobs in August. This evening’s clash is their 150th European game, which will provide a welcome distraction from their troubles at home. However, their confidence will not be helped if they are on the end of a real hiding this evening.

The Danish outfit have a goalkeeper in form, however, with Johan Wiland making 10 saves on the opening matchday of the Champions League, which was comfortably the highest total. With many bookmakers offering odds of 33/1 for the away win, punters will hope that the stopper is in good form in the Spanish capital this evening.

There has been talk of unrest in the Real Madrid camp in the build-up to this match, but defender Sergio Ramos has moved to distance claims that the team are not fully behind their boss Carlo Ancelotti. The Spaniard told reporters: “As Cristiano [Ronaldo] said a few days ago, we are fully behind the coach and we are all responsible. We have to be together and draw positive conclusions.”

Meanwhile, former Russia boss Fabio Capello believes that Real Madrid are the favourites for the Champions League this season. The Italian told El Primer Toque: “I am certain that Real Madrid are the favourites for the Champions League. No team has players like that." However, I suspect that there are a few teams that would have something to say about that.

Copenhagen boss Solbakken also spoke to the media on Tuesday, with the former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager insisting that his side can secure a result. He said: “Obviously we need points away from home, and it is just possible that we could give Madrid a fright. It will be tough against all of the big teams, trying to get used to playing at that European rhythm and speed. We will have to adapt to Madrid's speed, that's important."

PREDICTION: Even the most ardent of Copenhagen supporters would find it difficult to make a case for their side this evening. Records are of course there to be broken, but it would be one of the biggest shocks of all time if Madrid did not pick up all three points this evening. I expect there to be goals and therefore I am backing a comfortable 4-0 win. Little under two minutes until kickoff this evening.

The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. As expected, there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. Madrid is a special place to be when the Champions League is in town there is no question about that. The home side get the action underway on this warm evening in Spain.

You just get the feeling that the away side need to stay in the match in the early stages. The last thing they need is to concede an early goal, with this stadium already jumping. A bright run from Jorgensen threatens the Madrid defence in the early stages, but he just forces into traffic at the final moment, before the corner is cleared by Casillas.

It has been a really positive start from the Danish outfit with the likes of Claudemir and Delaney seeing plenty of the ball in and around the Madrid box. The home side do manage to work it out moments later, but Di Maria cannot turn under pressure from Jacobsen. High-tempo opening four minutes to proceedings in the Spanish capital.

First sign of Ronaldo as the Portuguese attempts to collect a long pass from Pepe, but the attacker had just moved too soon, with the linesman raising his flag. The atmosphere inside the stadium remains fantastic, but the away side have made a very positive start. However, just a few signs that Madrid are starting to settle into their passing pattern.

CHANCE! Stunning opportunity for the home side to take the lead as Modric finds Marcelo with a sweeping pass. The left-back delivers a cross towards Benzema, but somehow the Frenchman heads wide of the post. That will not help his confidence, which is fragile despite scoring four times. It was a surprise that Alvaro Morata did not start this evening.

One-way traffic in the last few moments with Madrid starting to control the tempo of the match. Meanwhile, the referee has been forced to award a number of free kicks in the Copenhagen half. The latest free kick allows Di Maria to whip a cross into the box, but Mellberg clears. Di Maria goes down inside the box moments later, but the referee is not interested in his claims.

Again it is Marcelo causing the problem as the left-back drives a low cross into the box, but Mellberg manages to clear at the vital moment. The resulting corner is delivered towards Ronaldo, but the Portuguese cannot make proper contact. It would be no exaggeration to say that Copenhagen have not touched the ball since the early couple of moments. One-way traffic in Spain.

Another sniff for Ronaldo inside the box as the collects a low cross from Di Maria, but Jacobsen is across to make the clearance. The tempo has just died down inside the stadium, which is what the away side would have wanted to achieve. Not too much from the likes of Braaten and Toutouh in the opening 15 minutes for Copenhagen.

Another half-chance for the home side, this time for Khedira, as the German attempts to curl one towards the top corner, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Marcelo continues to threaten down the left, but we have not seen too much from Carvajal thus far. Still no real opportunities with 17 minutes on the clock in the Bernabeu.

Couple of offside decisions have gone against the home side in the last minute or two, with replays showing that Khedira and Ronaldo were indeed onside inside the box. In fairness to the Danish outfit, they are attempting to break when they have possession, but they cannot keep hold of it in the final third. That said, they have restricted Madrid to few chances thus far.

Madrid continue to pin the away side to the edge of their own box with Marcelo almost operating as a wide midfielder. Ronaldo has another strike towards goal moments later, but Sigurdsson is across to make the block.

Madrid take the lead with 21 minutes on the clock as Ronaldo rises in the box before heading a Marcelo cross into the back of the net. However, you have to ask questions about the goalkeeper. He was in all sorts of trouble there. Madrid lead in the Bernabeu.

Sense of relief around the whole stadium when that goal went in with Carlo Ancelotti raising his fist in celebration. No surprise that the cross came from Marcelo, who has been their standout player thus far. Copenhagen are down the other end with Braaten moments later, but he runs into the sizeable figure of Varane.

Ronaldo, who is now full of confidence, tries his luck from outside the box once more, but it smashes into the back of Mellberg. The home side continue to dominate the ball in the Danish side's half and another half-chance comes as Di Maria meets a low cross from Benzema, but he places his effort just wide of the post.

Madrid want a penalty as Sigurdsson challenges Modric inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Another half-chance arrives moments later as Di Maria strikes an effort towards the top corner, but it just moves wide of the post. Copenhagen just need to be careful here. Another Madrid goal at this stage and they could be in trouble.

Half-chance for the away side as Jacobsen finds Braaten on the edge of the box, but he can only curl his effort into the arms of Casillas, who has been a spectator thus far. Good spell of possession for the Danish outfit as Gislason has a long-range effort moments later, but it moves wide of the post. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.

The away supporters are creating a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening, with their side doing them proud thus far. Again Marcelo is involved for Madrid as he collects a pass from Ronaldo before curling a cross into the box, Mellberg clears and it falls to Ronaldo once more, but he fires high and wide.

Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with the referee more involved than he would like as both sides continue to commit a number of fouls. The Danish outfit have the chance to whip a free kick into the box, but instead they play it short, which breaks down. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, with Ronaldo's goal the difference.

Half-chance for Benzema as the Frenchman meets a corner from Modric, but his effort is just wide of the post. Gislason threatens to open up the Madrid defence moments later with a through pass towards Braaten, but Varane is across to clear the danger. Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about despite their control of the possession in the latter stages of the half.

CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Di Maria meets a cross from Marcelo, but somehow he heads wide of the post. Madrid have been impressive on the ball, but their finishing has been awful thus far. That said, you still fancy them to notch a couple more. Really nasty moment for Pepe moments later as the Portuguese suffers a cut face in a challenge with Gislason.

CROSSBAR! It's good work from Braaten as the attacker forces a corner for the away side. It is delivered straight under the crossbar, Casillas comes and gets nowhere near it, before Modric diverts it onto his own crossbar. Where was the defending?! Pepe is being patched up as we speak, meanwhile.

Madrid have had all of the possession, but you just wonder whether they will be made to regret those missed chances. Di Maria picks up an advanced position moments later, but once more he is in an offside position, much to the frustration of the home supporters. Little over one minute of normal time remaining in the first period.

Good possession for Copenhagen in the last couple of moments as they continue to pass and probe outside the box, but they are finding it difficult to break through. Braaten looks the most likely as he continues to find little gaps, but his teammates have not been on the same wavelength thus far. One minute of additional time will be played.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first half to an end with Madrid leading courtesy of a header from Ronaldo. The home side have dominated the possession, but it has not been as one-sided as expected with Copenhagen also having their moments. The polite applause as Madrid left the pitch is an indication of proceedings in the first period.

STATISTICS: Madrid have had 64% of the possession thus far, while they have had seven attempts to Copenhagen's four. Just the one yellow card, meanwhile, with Modric booked for a late challenge in the final few moments of the half. In truth, it hasn't been the best Champions League fixture that you will ever see thus far.

BENCH WATCH: It will come as no surprise that Madrid have a number of options on their bench in the shape of Jese Rodriguez, Isco and Fabio Coentrao. Meanwhile, Copenhagen have the likes of Jensen, Vetokele and Bolanos in reserve. The Danish outfit will certainly have taken confidence from their performance in the first period.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that there is another Group B fixture taking place this evening with Galatasaray surprisingly leading Juventus 1-0 in Italy. Right, the away side get the second period underway in the Spanish capital.

No changes for either side at the interval, which means that Pepe has indeed joined us for the second 45 minutes despite that horror head injury that he suffered in the first. Surely Carlo Ancelotti wants a little bit more from his team in this half. They have started on the front foot with Marcelo immediately moving into an advanced position.

Half-chance for Modric as the Croatian collects possession outside the box before attempting to stoke an effort into the bottom corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. The Danish outfit are down the other end moments later with Gislason, but he cannot shake off Khedira outside the box. A goal for the away side would certainly make things interesting in Madrid.

Couple of half-chances in quick succession for Di Maria. However, he fails to make proper contact with a cross from Ronaldo before firing straight at the goalkeeper. He has missed a number of chances this evening. You just get the feeling that the three points would not be enough for the home supporters. They want to see their side recover from the weekend defeat to Atletico Madrid in style.

Half-chance for Carvajal this time as the right-back turns just outside the box before attempting to curl an effort into the top corner, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. The home side continue to dominate the possession, but the score remains at 1-0. Another goal for Madrid would surely secure all the points.

Madrid continue to work the ball in and around the Copenhagen box, with Modric the main instigator in the forward areas. However, it has not quite happened for the likes of Di Maria and Benzema thus far. It has been an encouraging start to the half for the away side, but they are losing possession too easily in the opposing half. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Madrid.

Ronaldo attempts to force the issue for the home side as he collects possession outside the box before releasing an effort towards goal, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. It would not be a surprise to see Carlo Ancelotti look to his bench with Isco the obvious replacement. It is comfortable for Madrid, but all it takes is one set piece and the Danish outfit are back in it.

It's good work from Jacobsen as the Copenhagen right-back finds himself inside the Madrid box, but Pepe is across to shut the door at the vital moment. Madrid break down the other end with Ronaldo, but his effort is once more off-target. Marcelo picks up the pieces from the goal kick, before winning a free kick down the left moments later.

Pepe has a header on target moments later, but it is fairly straightforward for Wiland, who has had a fairly comfortable second period. Madrid continue to force the issue in and around the Danish side's box, but the final ball continues to evade a white shirt. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in this Group B Champions League encounter.

Change for the away side as Bolanos enters the field in place of Toutouh, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Moments later, Modric wins a free kick just outside the box in Ronaldo territory. Oh how his side need him to produce something special here. Braaten picks up a booking for his part in the challenge.

Ronaldo takes the resulting free kick, but it drops onto the top of the net. Still no movement on the Madrid bench, but I expect that to change in the next five minutes or so. You would think that another Madrid goal would secure all the points, but Copenhagen remain a threat on the counter. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.

Madrid and Ronaldo have their second as the Portuguese is on hand to convert a Di Maria cross from close range. His second header of the evening has surely secured all the points for his team.

The away side make their second change moments later as Adi replaces Braaten. Moments later, Madrid look to their bench for the first time with Isco replacing Modric. The points appear to be secure, but it could get worse for the away side in the final 20 minutes or so. Do not back against Ronaldo scoring another hat trick.

Half-chance for the away side this time as Delaney strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Another decent moment arrives for the Danish outfit moments later as Jorgensen finds some space inside the box, but Pepe is across to clear at the vital moment, before Isco leads the counter down the other end.

Madrid have their third of the evening as Di Maria collects possession outside the box before curling his effort into the corner. He has missed some chances, but now he has his goal. That has indeed secured all the points.

Copenhagen have been impressive defensively for long spells of this match, but it could get nasty in the latter stages as Madrid continue to force the issue. The away side make their third change as Kristensen replaces Jorgensen, who has not really had any service. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.

Half-chance for Isco as the Spaniard dances into the box before attempting to curl an effort into the bottom corner, but Mellberg just manages to block at the vital moment. Madrid make their second change as Alvaro Morata, who is a firm favourite with the home supporters, replaces Khedira. Goals could certainly be on the agenda with the amount of firepower the home side now have on the pitch.

Not too much to report in the last few moments with Madrid comfortable in possession of the ball. There are more goals in this if Madrid want them, but Copenhagen are sitting very deep. Ronaldo threatens with a deep cross towards Morata, but the tall striker cannot make proper contact under pressure from Mellberg.

Half-chance for the home side as Carvajal finds some space inside the box before attempting to slide a pass to Ronaldo, but the danger is read by Delaney, who comes across to clear the danger. Copenhagen have a spell of possession moments later, but there is nothing for them in the final third.

Fairly scrappy period of the match at the moment with the referee forced to deal with a number of challenges from both sides. Madrid are on the counter moments later as Ronaldo finds Morata inside the box, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. Little over five minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.

Madrid make their third and final change as Benzema is replaced by Jese Rodriguez. Warm response from the home supporters as the Frenchman departs, which is a good sign for the future. Morata drives a low cross into the box moments later, but Wiland is on hand to pick up the pieces.

Half-chance for Adi as the Copenhagen forward strikes an effort from the edge of the box, but he was just falling as he made contact. Not too much from the home side in the last couple of moments with the away side dropping deeper and deeper. Little over three minutes of normal time remaining.

Possession football for the home side as they continue to pass and probe outside the box, but it does appear that Copenhagen will keep it to three, which is not the end of the world for them. A clean sheet will also be welcomed by Madrid, who have been far from watertight in defence this season.

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of football and we are indeed into the first of those. Is there time for more goals for the home side?

Indeed there is time. Di Maria has his second of the match in stoppage time as he curls a low effort into the back of the net. It is harsh on the away side.

So there we have it. Ronaldo and Di Maria both score twice as Real Madrid put four past Copenhagen. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stick around the site for all of the reaction. Good evening!