UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Man City Edge through stubborn Athletico Madrid in quarter finals first leg

Manchester City worked hard to earn a 1-0 win in their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.

City beat Sporting in the last round to book a meeting with Atletico, who knocked out Manchester United, and the Spanish champions were resolute in their defence throughout in a frustrating evening at the Etihad.

Pep Guardiola recalled John Stones in a back four that saw Nathan Ake at left-back, while Phil Foden was benched in place of Ilkay Gundogan. Much of the build-up centred around the contrasting styles between Guardiola and Atletico boss Diego Simeone, but the City manager says this tie is about the players.

Atletico were stubborn from the start, restricting City to few openings and frustrating the Blues who dominated throughout without getting a clear sight of goal. That was until Phil Foden's introduction on 70 minutes, with his first touch being to free Kevin De Bruyne to finish past Jan Oblak. The goal was enough to give City a 1-0 lead heading into the second leg next week.

Pep Guardiola had his joke about his “stupid” tactics in Europe this week - but it was a good old-fashioned triple substitution that gave Manchester City the edge in their Champions League quarter-final. Against an Atletico Madrid side who, predictably, combined defensive solidity with extreme gamesmanship, physicality and time-wasting skulduggery, it was Phil Foden who stepped off the bench to make the difference and provide Kevin De Bruyne with the only goal.

Until he, Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus trotted onto the field, Atletico had been reasonably comfortable as City huffed and puffed their way around the final third without seriously testing keeper Jan Oblak. Guardiola has added his voice to the campaign for more substitutions in the Premier League - and it was successful, with news this week that five will be allowed next season.

Oddly, Guardiola rarely uses his full complement from the bench, but with this game goalless he did so with dramatic effect. The dynamic of the game changed drastically within seconds of the three pairs of fresh legs entering the pitch. Grealish drew a yellow card from Rodrigo De Paul after Atletico had managed to tread a fine line between the foul and the fair - and his ability to win free-kicks gave the visitors a taste of their own gamesmanship.