Two hours before kick-off, Wembley Way was a flowing river of red. To walk from the underground station to the stadium was to weave between thousands of Nottingham Forest-supporting bodies, to feel their thrill at attending a first FA Cup semi-final since 1991 and the excitement for only their second appearance at the redeveloped Wembley.
Inside the ground, it was the red half that dominated the eyes and ears. The Forest fans had the noise and the sense of anticipation. Their end of the ground even had the sunshine, too.
For Manchester City, by contrast, there is a sense of familiarity about these occasions which has blunted the emotions.