Knowing whether this exercise was beneficial or not for Manchester City was tough for much of on Wednesday night. Probably not, on balance. That was until Sergio Aguero emerged.
City have missed him. Obviously. They require more chances without the old timer. That they have toiled for goals in so many matches this season while Aguero spent significant time with the club’s physios is hardly a coincidence.
Even with the increasingly lethal Ferran Torres scoring again – his fourth in Europe this season – it is so obvious what Pep Guardiola lacks when Aguero is absent.
He only played 24 minutes, clambering off a bench he appeared wedded to – amusingly curled up with a hot water bottle and a Bovril cup - but those minutes will offer encouragement for City.