They kept faith with seven of the starters who faced Real and lost two of their fresher players to injury. No wonder they weren't at their best at Wembley. They didn't need to be.
The fact that they still reached a second successive FA Cup final despite all those challenges shows what kind of a team Pep Guardiola has created.
"You are tired? F*** you," he famously said in the Amazon documentary a few years back and he was unimpressed with Rodri's public complaints of tiredness earlier this month.
He dismissed the idea that the tight turnaround this week would be an excuse, insisting his side would deal with it.
Kevin de Bruyne was 'exhausted' and asked to come off against Madrid but here he was playing 90 minutes at Wembley. He's still not back to his best and the scope for him to get a much-needed rest to reset is non-existent. But for all his on-pitch frustrations and a fair few misplaced passes, he was at the heart of City's winning goal.
Esta historia es de la edición April 22, 2024 de Manchester Evening News.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 22, 2024 de Manchester Evening News.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
House Prices Rise Above Inflation Rate
Some Parts Of Region Have Seen Increases
Trent steals show with crisp volley as England coast
TRENT Alexander-Arnold capped an impressive individual display with a tremendous volley as England beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 in last night's Euro 2024 warm-up friendly.
United yet to make call on whether winger is Garna have very busy summer
NO DECISION ON GARNACHO PLAYING IN PARIS OLYMPICS
Penalties of City facing expulsion or relegation are not sensationalised'
CITY can expect to learn their fate over the Premier League charges they are facing next summer, according to a football finance expert.
Ras has message for United target after bad injury
UNITED striker Rasmus Hojlund has sent a message to a former teammate who has been linked with following him to Old Trafford this summer.
Jack could be left out in the cold as Southgate ponders summer Euro squad
GARETH Southgate failed to assure Jack Grealish of his place in the England squad for the European Championship ahead of Friday's deadline.
'He'd be proud that we pulled together'
RUGBY LEAGUE STAR ROB BURROW'S FAMILY PAY TRIBUTE
Festival-goers urged to use public transport
TRANSPORT BOSSES TELL PARKLIFE PUNTERS TO PLAN FOR THEIR JOURNEY
'I've got a good job but can't afford a lot of basic things'
\"IT'S quite terrifying that I have a good job which is reasonably well paid, but I can't afford a lot of basic things,\" says supply teacher Mark Pillotti.
Starmer's case for the nation's defence
IT'S a venue which has seen the likes of Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair in the past.