Haaland does it all
The theory is that Erling Haaland is the missing piece of the jigsaw for Manchester City in the Champions League. His relentless appetite for goals could prove to be the difference between those agonising near-misses and City finally getting their hands on that iconic trophy.
His mind-blowing record of 45 goals in 39 games - 11 in seven in the Champions League - suggests it could be an accurate assessment. He can pick open tight games and pummel opposition who are on the ropes.
But he's becoming more than just a goalscorer as well. Pep Guardiola has said consistently this season that he hopes to leave his mark on the 22-year-old, by getting him more involved in the build-up play and a more unpredictable threat.
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There is still more to come on that front but if it's the unexpected you want then look no further of what was Haaland's sixth assist for the club. When Jack Grealish played him in after winning the ball from Dayot Upamecano it looked like a great shooting opportunity.
But as Yann Sommer came out to narrow the angle, Haaland feinted. He pulled his left foot but instead flicked a cross into the space that was quickly being targeted by Bernardo Silva. His header doubled City's lead after Rodri's brilliant opener.
Haaland did what he usually does, of course. His finish for City's third was underrated and that's the goal which pretty much killed this tie off ahead of next week's second leg in Munich, but the versatility in his game is another reason why this could yet be City's year.
Bernardo vs Davies
It was a clash of styles down the City right at the Etihad. Alphonso Davies has pace to burn at left-back for Bayern, while Bernardo Silva has to be, with all due respect, one of the slower right-wingers on the circuit at this level.
But speed doesn't always beat brain. Davies showed some good recovery pace when Bernardo was sent clear behind him, but so often the City wide men protected the ball and found space because he made the ball do the work at close quarters.
He never looked to surge clear of the Canadian international. He kept the ball close to his feet, used his low centre of gravity to shift his balance and generally bamboozled Davies.
The build-up to the first goal was a case in point. Davies had stopped Bernardo's breakaway but looked fearful to dive in and take the ball away, sensing that as soon as he made the move, the ball would be gone. Bernardo found a pass out as he lulled his marker in and a few seconds later the ball was in the back of the net.
It was just one of a catalogue of brilliant moments from a player who so often saves his best for the very biggest games. There was the second-half triple nutmeg when he poked the ball through the legs of Davies (twice) and Leon Goretzka and to cap it off the header to put City in control of the tie.
Champions League quality
In his programme notes on Tuesday Guardiola opined of the Champions League: "This competition is special; it is the most beautiful in football, with the very best players all competing on the same stage."
Anybody who had the privilege of witnessing the quality of this match in what were often filthy weather conditions could only agree with that sentiment. This was high-quality football.
There was tactical intrigue, technical quality and plenty of goalmouth action. It might not have been one of those crazy Champions League scorelines, but it was a brilliant game of football, with the right team coming out on top.
Stones' new role
There was a feeling that Kyle Walker might be restored to this City side, with his pace an insurance against Bayern's rapid speed in the final third, something that felt even more noticeable when Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry all appeared on the team sheet.
But Guardiola opted to stick with the same defenders, if not the same exact set-up. John Stones has spent a lot of his time playing in midfield of late, shifting back to right-back when there was a threat down that side, but he was more of a central defender against Bayern.
Rather than be tasked with having to get across to Sane, Guardiola left Manuel Akanji against the former City winger. Instead, Stones stepped forward a bit once City had a spell of possession but then quickly shifted straight back in alongside Ruben Dias when Bayern began their build-up.
It didn't always work flawlessly and the England international must have been sick of his manager's voice by the end of the game, such was the level of coaching and instruction he received, but at the moment it feels like Stones can adapt to those positional changes.
Ghosts of the past and present
Sane was afforded a polite welcome back to the Etihad when his name was read out before kick-off. His time at the Etihad didn't end brilliantly, although it wasn't too acrimonious either. He wanted to play more regularly and City never keep players against their will. He was a big part of Guardiola's first title-winning team but his muted reception felt about right.
Sane did get the better of Akanji midway through the first half to set up a big chance for Jamal Musiala, which was brilliantly blocked by Dias, and he curled a shot from distance just wide at the end of the opening period and straight at Ederson early in the second half.
He was certainly the most dangerous Bayern attacker, however. He should have scored when racing clear, only to be denied by an even better save from Ederson.
It was a different story when Joao Cancelo came on. He might still be a City player, but the manner of his January exit has left a bad taste in the mouth and he was roundly booed when he came on. A section of the crowd also chanted an insult at the Portuguese full-back. It was hard to see a way back after this.
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