Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Manchester City: 5 Talking Points

#4 City's squad rotation

Napoli fans might have had something to say about the City line-up when it was announced. Although in the end, Napoli undid themselves when they lost to Feyenoord, their concern at the line up certainly should have been genuine. However, for Pep, it was almost impossible to field a full strength eleven considering the future fixtures.

Pep Guardiola's side has given some of the most amazing performances in the group stage this term. They had earned themselves a berth in the round of sixteen with one matchday to spare. Tonight's match was certainly dead rubber for them.

However, with the impending Manchester derby this weekend and it's implications on the title race, it was quite clear that he would rest some of his key players and give some of his fringe players some game time. However, nobody foresaw such wholesome changes.

The Spaniard retained only three starting members of his last Premier League game in his starting line-up: Ederson, Sane and Fernandinho. He gave U-17 star, Phil Foden and Oluwatosin Adarabioyo their first Champions League starts. The second half saw the introduction of another youngster, Brahim Diaz.

It was quite apparent from the very beginning that City very much intend to win the Manchester derby and have already been planning for it with this match being not much more of a deviation in their plans.