Pep Guardiola may have only one spot left in Man City XI for FA Cup and Champions League finals

There was no Pep Roulette, no overthinking, and no pre-match wondering about the formation. At the Bernabeu, Pep Guardiola simply named his strongest Manchester City side available, didn't make a substitution, and the 11 players chosen produced one of the most mature City performances in years.

It was exactly the opposite kind of night that City have come to expect in Europe, but maybe it's a sign that Guardiola and his players are learning from their long list of self-inflicted Champions League exits at the perfect time.

When Real Madrid visit the Etihad next week looking to remind City who the real kings of Europe are, Guardiola will likely name a very similar starting XI to Tuesday night - and if they reach the final he would surely pick nine or ten of the side who played at the Bernabeu.

ALSO READ: How City used last season's Real Madrid defeat to inspire Bernabeu performance

With an FA Cup final to factor in as well, this stage of the season is usually when the majority of City's squad are used during the run-in and fighting for a place in a final-day decider or a final in one of the cup competitions. This season, Guardiola's go-to XI for the big games appears relatively certain.

Some players are nailed-on to start a big game regardless of when it comes in a season. Erling Haaland's goals speak for themselves, Kevin De Bruyne is a man for the big stage, Rodri underlined his importance on Tuesday, and Ederson showed his quality at the Bernabeu with three top-quality saves (remember when there were calls for him to be dropped because he didn't produce the match-saving stops like David de Gea?).

Ederson could be benched in the FA Cup final to reward Stefan Ortega's performances as cup goalkeeper, but that doesn't