Erling Haaland was always going to need a rest at some point, but it sums up his impact on Manchester City that on a night when he didn't play the Blues failed to find the back of the net for the first time in 23 games.
Playing with 10 men for an hour was clearly an impediment to the threat they could pose an obdurate but limited FC Copenhagen side, but even with 11 on the pitch the danger had been sporadic.
City had struck 44 goals in 12 games since the Community Shield but suddenly drew a blank in Denmark. It was a disappointing night but the point is almost certainly enough to secure progress from the group.
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They also avoided expending too much energy ahead of a clash with Liverpool on Sunday. Pep Guardiola's side have five days to prepare for that game against a side that look to be out of the title race already, but their ability to make life difficult for Guardiola and City conditioned some of the decisions here. Keeping Haaland hungry ahead of a game against a rival so low on confidence could spell danger for Liverpool.
Had they needed a win then we might have seen Haaland at some point. Instead, he had a watching brief and City managed the second 45 minutes professionally, keeping Copenhagen at arm's length, although they barely posed a threat at the other end either. They looked happy with a point and a clean bill of health.
It was the first time Haaland had been among the substitutes in his City career, a decision made with Sunday's trip to Anfield in mind and a desire to keep the Norwegian fresh and firing.
He operates to the beat of his own drum at times and 10 minutes after the rest of the City squad had come out to warm-up Haaland emerged from the tunnel, his presence confirmed by a cascade of boos from Copenhagen's loudest fans, congregated behind one goal, and chants of "who are ya?" It was a hostile reception from the Danes towards the Norwegian, a sign that Scandinavian rivalry can run deep.
That stand had been relatively full from two hours before kick-off, with the home supporters determined to enjoy the occasion in a season that is bringing them frustration. They've lost five of their 10 games in the league in defence of their title and hadn't scored in their first three Champions League group stages games. They rarely looked scoring here, either.
There is a giant poster on the exterior of the Parken Stadium celebrating Copenhagen's record of reaching the group stage. This is the fifth time since 2006/07 they've made it this far, but they've never gone further.
For City, the group stages are becoming a formality and this result should be enough to qualify, although it turned into a much tougher night than expected.
Haaland has been plundering hat-tricks with regularity this season but it was a different kind of treble City achieved in the first half. The defining image of the first 45 minutes was referee Artur Dias putting his hand to ear and jogging over to watch the telly and he disallowed one City goal, then gave them a penalty they missed before completing the set by sending off Sergio Gomez on review.
City thought they had the lead when Rodri struck a stunning half-volley into the top corner from 25 yards, but it was harshly disallowed after the ball had brushed Riyad Mahrez's arm in the build-up.
Mahrez was blameless for that but had the chance to atone anyway when City were awarded a penalty that nobody had appealed for, with Aymeric Laporte's header striking Nicolai Boilesen's hand. His spot-kick was at a good height for Kamil Grabara, who made a routine save. Mahrez missing penalties in the week the Blues go to Anfield will bring back some bad memories and, this time, he was denied by a former Liverpool goalkeeper in Grabara.
The miss became more decisive when Gomez was sent-off soon after. Dias waved away the Spaniard's initial contact with Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, but on second viewing had no hesitation in dismissing the left-back, who had his arm around the striker as he broke clear on goal.
Confusion reigned at the Parken Stadium, not just in the stands but on the pitch. City had been perplexed at why Rodri's goal had been disallowed and then become dishevelled when Ruben Dias came on in the wake of the red card.
Dias initially slotted in at right-back but Guardiola was so desperate to reorganise his defence he stood on the pitch for 30 seconds while the game was going on trying to get bodies in the right position.
Guardiola switched system again at half-time, dropping Rodri in between Dias and Laporte to form a back three. He was cutting an animated figure on the touchline, urging his players to push up as they retreated under some Copenhagen pressure.
Jack Grealish had joined Julian Alvarez in attack but the Blues were finding it difficult to get them in the game. Alvarez had forced Grabara into a smart save early in the game but the numerical disadvantage left him isolated after that.
Kevin De Bruyne looked City's most dangerous threat early in the second half, forcing Grabara into a diving save with a shot from distance before finding the side-netting from a tight angle.
But after a chaotic first half, the second period was notable only for the lack of action. Neither goalkeeper had much to do and City looked content to keep it that way. Haaland remained wrapped in cotton wool, ready to be unleashed on Liverpool.
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