In a studio, lights cast a warm glow across the polished table, screens behind flickering with the looming image of the Parc des Princes, its arching roofline a shadowy silhouette against the Paris dusk.
The pre-match build-up was in full swing, but tonight's script had shifted dramatically in the last couple of hours.
"Welcome back to our coverage," the host began, voice steady but tinged with that journalistic gravity that only comes when the news isn't quite what fans want to hear.
"And in unfortunate news, as it had been rumoured, we've had confirmation from Arsenal sources this afternoon: Gabriel Martinelli will miss the second leg against Paris Saint-Germain after sustaining an injury in training just a few hours ago."
He shuffled a few notes in front of him but hardly needed to glance down; the details were already etched into the rhythm of his delivery.
