And so to Anfield. That always had to be the case after this game, but the teamsheet pretty much confirmed where Manchester City heads were at even before it.
Pep Guardiola left Phil Foden, Nathan Ake, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva on the bench in arguably the heaviest rotation he has allowed for a Champions League knockout game.
Not that you could instantly tell. Manu Akanji met a Julian Alvarez corner on the half-volley early doors to turn in the opening goal before goalkeeper Kamil Grabara allowed Alvarez's effort through his hands; nine minutes in and the tie was dead.
Rico Lewis tried to get the rhythm back into his body after barely featuring in 2024, Josko Gvardiol stepped in for his first game back since injury and young Oscar Bobb was given another opportunity for his sharp brain and twinkling toes to dazzle.