The Algerian’s start to the second-half helped Pep Guardiola’s side take the game by the scruff of the neck at the Santiago Bernabeu
The few eyebrows that were raised when Manchester City’s line-up against Real Madrid was revealed on Wednesday night probably increased after Pep Guardiola’s side’s setup in-play had been made out; Gabriel Jesus, a natural striker, was wide left, Riyad Mahrez was on the opposite side and Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne were central.
One question likely crossed critics’ minds: “Has Pep overthought this one again?”
The Manchester outfit were playing a 4-6-0 and hadn’t started well: Mahrez in particular was losing possession intermittently as the Citizens struggled to get to grips with the tactic and their hosts’ pressing.