Kevin De Bruyne gives Manchester City the edge against Atlético Madrid

Kevin De Bruyne, on his 50th Champions League appearance in Manchester City colours, had been muted but made no mistake for a 70th-minute winner that is goal No 11 in the competition for the club. It means Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Spain content yet wary as Atlético Madrid are the definition of a streetwise outfit who know when to punish, though João Félix, Antoine Griezmann and Marcos Llorente will all rue missed opportunities tonight. So, too, De Bruyne who, towards the end, missed a gaping goal much to his manager’s dismay.

There is a serenity about Guardiola that has been evident since around this time last season. The latest illustration came in the pre-game “over-thinking” discourse that was delivered with a rascally twinkle yet came punctuated with a point he believes pertinent: that he is duty-bound to tinker tactics and personnel – the prevailing criticism aimed at him – when the competition reaches this stage due to the differing nature of the opponent.

So it was that Guardiola’s selection and configuration was awaited for a first leg that might define the tie and should any moves made become questionable should City go out. Through this prism the omission of Phil Foden – who had started five of City’s Champions League eight matches – caught the eye as, to a lesser degree, did Jack Grealish’s exclusion.

For a task Diego Simeone rated as tougher than knocking out Manchester United in the previous round, the Atlético manager again fielded the same 3-5-2 as at Old Trafford.

The visitors fired a first salvo. Here João Félix twirled near halfway and flipped a pass behind Nathan Aké for Marcos Llorente to run at. The latter went close to overtaking Aké before the Dutchman did enough.

João Cancelo had been