Street-fighter Phil Foden finds the touch to undo dogged Atlético

Kevin De Bruyne scored the only goal of the game, and Manchester City’s players gathered by the corner flag in front of their fans. “Celebrated” would probably be pushing it a bit. For the curious thing about City’s winning goal was how deeply unimpressed they all seemed about it. De Bruyne’s features were contorted into a growl. Bernardo Silva bellowed defiantly into the stands. Nathan Aké, to be honest, just looked buzzing to be there.

On the touchline, Pep Guardiola angrily hurled a water bottle to the ground, furious at himself for feeling such relief.

But then this is what playing Atlético Madrid does to you. Whatever joy you once felt about the game, about football, about life itself, they will find and destroy. If they can’t win, they resolve to strip all the satisfaction of victory from you. Small wonder Guardiola was still scowling as he left the pitch to do his post-match interviews. Yes, Atlético had lost. But it didn’t really feel like anyone had won.

The Etihad Stadium had been a restive and grouchy place for much of the evening. City fans are used to watching these matches – the endless hopeful through-balls and blocked shots and cleared crosses – through gritted teeth. They booed the Champions League anthem. They booed the Atlético players for not taking the knee. They booed the Romanian referee when he booked Gabriel Jesus late on.

They barracked Atlético’s tactical fouls and amateur dramatics, their pratfalling and Olympian timewasting. At one stage Jan Oblak caught a City cross and was still clutching the ball 20 seconds later as if it were a sleeping infant. It was the ninth minute. Every City outfield player was camped deep in the Atlético half. Back at the City end, Ederson was changing into comfy