Manchester City handed over part of their training facilities to Bayern Munich on Wednesday so Thomas Tuchel's weary side could easily complete a recovery session before travelling home, beaten and bruised.
As they limbered up for the warm-down, it is not hard to imagine the likes of Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka — Bayern's engine room — discussing quite how a centre half in midfield could have had such an impact on this Champions League quarter-final.
City name certain aspects of the Etihad Campus after important players in their recent history and, should he reach a decade at this club and pocket a maiden European trophy, it is not inconceivable that the name John Stones is etched on to a plaque somewhere.