Rodri banner was just sign of support

IT certainly raised the temperature on a cold night in Manchester, that's for sure.

- By JOE BRAY

Images of City fans' provocative banner mocking Real Madrid's reaction to Rodri's Ballon d'Or win went worldwide in seconds and dominated the post-match chatter following a blockbuster tie.

Pep Guardiola was asked if he saw the banner, having done all he could to dampen chat of the Ballon d'Or fall-out pre-match. He said he didn't and with Spanish media asking how that was possible given it spanned the whole of the South Stand lower tier, Guardiola replied that he was still in the dressing room.

He looked for it when he came out, he said, but the banner was gone. Vinicius Jr certainly saw it.

"It motivated me even more.

Whenever rival fans do things, it gives me more strength to play a great game," the Brazilian - who was booed relentlessly throughout said.