EXCLUSIVEEIGHTEEN Champions League fixtures, 64 goals and upsets galore... TNT Sports give Mail Sport behind-the-scenes access as they cover craziest night of European football ever

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There is an organised but chaotic feel to the TNT Sports studios just two hours before they embark on a groundbreaking television event in football. Everywhere you look there are floods of people all on a mission to make history.

The production team have been preparing for this night since September, but there is still a sense that they are stepping into the unknown. Never before has a broadcaster tackled 18 Champions League matches at once.

This is the busiest the TNT Sports newsroom has ever been. All five studios are in use to make sure that every thrill and every spill is covered from every possible angle.

Producers are rushing around like it's D-Day, while technicians are planted at their desks ensuring everything is ready. Everybody involved is as prepared as they can possibly be.

While each show is of high importance, it's a monumental night for the Goals Show Xtra team who are tasked with showing every single goal that flies in across all of the matches. Spoiler alert: there were a lot of them.

The quartet of Matt Smith, Ally McCoist, Karen Carney, and James Horncastle have the unenviable task of covering the dramatic night. They embrace the carnage and it shows throughout.

There were 64 goals scored in the Champions League group phase final night, with Man City scraping through to the play-offs

TNT Sports' Goal Show Xtra showed every goal across the 18 matches played on Wednesday

Mail Sport were given behind the scenes access of TNT Sports' coverage of the crazy night, speaking to (from left to right) Karen Carney, James Horncastle, Matt Smith, and Ally McCoist 

Prior to the show, I am introduced to the Goal Show Xtra team and instantly it is clear to see why they have been put together. The Chemistry between them is off the charts.

Laughter fills the room that we have been ushered into for a group interview before the record button is even pressed on my phone. It's almost like we are on a podcast, the atmosphere is so relaxed.

Off camera, McCoist comes across exactly like he does on it - a charismatic, energetic, and lovely man. From the minute he walks through the door, there is a smile on his face.

You'd think wandering into unchartered territory, like Wednesday night's show was, would feel daunting for anybody, wouldn't you? Well, not McCoist and Co. You'd not be mistaken for thinking they are all about to head off on a group holiday with how at ease they are.

The former Rangers striker has been an advocate for the new Champions League format since its inception. At every chance he gets, McCoist sings its praises, and it was no different heading into the final night.

'I love it,' McCoist tells Mail Sport live from behind the scenes at the Goals Show Xtra on TNT Sports. 'I went into it very open-minded and I have really enjoyed it. I think tonight will be the proof in the pudding, I really do.'

Wednesday night did indeed live up to the hype, it was like a movie. That may be a cringey phrase, that I don't like to use at even the best of times, but it's true regarding the thrilling events of the Champions League's group phase climax.

It was a night filled with drama and consequence, something rarely provided in the final group stage game of the old format.

The Goal Show Xtra team spoke to Mail Sport about the new Champions League format 

McCoist comes across exactly like he does on camera - a charismatic, energetic, and lovely man

There were 64 goals across the 18 games, just four short of McCoist's prediction, with every single match seeing a goal scored. 

Manchester City survived a scare against Club Brugge to scrape into the play-off's and avoid an unlikely early exit. Meanwhile, Aston Villa came out on top in a rollercoaster six-goal thriller against Celtic to book a place in the knockout stages.

The Goals Show Xtra team barely had time to breathe, but Smith, who presented the programme expertly navigated the topsy-turvy nature of the evening.

It is not a regular occurrence for McCoist to be on the show, he is usually planted on the commentary team of a featured game. His one appearance in the studio has now changed the way he will watch football forever.

'It was a little bit chaotic at times because there were goals going in everywhere,' said McCoist. 'I don't think I would be able to watch just the one game in my house, on my sofa, ever again. It was sensational.'

The evening was a resounding success for TNT Sports, they have reported that it was the best performance of the Goals Show Xtra ever.

It really showed on the night. Once all the producers and editors took to their places and the on-air sign turned red, everything ran as smoothly as possible. It was a lot of fun to watch.

The show dealt with the overwhelming amount of action admirably, relaying the best moments to viewers at home in a style that was thoroughly digestible. An unprecedented night of sporting combat will be largely looked back on in a positive light.

TNT Sports presenter Matt Smith expertly navigated the topsy-turvy nature of the evening

The Goal Show Xtra team had access to several screens to ensure every game was covered

'I am immensely proud of our production team both on-site and also back in the studio where we presented matches and the goal show. The Goal Show Xtra smashed it out of the park,' Scott Young, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports SVP, Content and Production and Operations tells Mail Sport.

'The team tonight covered 64 goals, the story, the jeopardy of teams particularly of City, what a rollercoaster that was. That was the sort of jeopardy we were really hoping this format would bring.'

'It's definitely taken it up another level. It has taken storytelling up another level because not just reporting the score, it's reporting the story of the Champions League in one night and the successes of say Aston Villa.

'It has lifted football coverage to a new level, it has lifted storytelling around football matches to a new level, and our teams did a phenomenal job. The planning of this has been going on since matchday one [in September].

'After tonight, if there is more of that then bring it on.'

Tune in to the UEFA Champions League, exclusively live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Find out more here.