Carlo Ancelotti downplayed the impact of Erling Haaland on this semi-final, telling Real Madrid to do what so many managers have tried and failed to manage this season - stop the service and stop him scoring.
Maybe Ancelotti's stance was because he had spotted a more influential Manchester City player to concentrate on, with Ilkay Gundogan targetted from the first minute after his two-goal show against Leeds at the weekend.
Gundogan played a little further forward than at the weekend, asked to turn on the ball and keep City on the front foot. In response, Germany teammates Antonio Rudiger and Toni Kroos both left Gundogan needing treatment after 'challenges' that saw Pep Guardiola furious.
With the noise over Gundogan's future growing, especially with his performances underlining his importance to the Blues, it was telling that Real went to such great lengths to minimise his influence.