On Tuesday night, all eyes will be on goal machine Erling Haaland in the first leg of Manchester City's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
With 51 goals to his name this season, much of the talk ahead of the game at the Bernabeu will centre around how Real can nullify the threat of City's outrageously prolific striker. But for City - and boss Pep Guardiola in particular - there is one player who is just as important as Haaland, an unsung hero whose contribution will be equally significant in Madrid.
Ilkay Gundogan was Guardiola's first signing at City in 2016 and has shown his enduring class ever since, scoring twice here to keep the champions on course to retain the Premier League title.
Gundogan is out of contract this summer and is likely to leave for Barcelona, despite Guardiola's desire to hold on to the 32-year-old Germany international for at least one more campaign.
When he wants greater control and possession, Gundogan is Guardiola's go-to man, which is why he is likely to start against Real, with his unflappability on the ball and coolness under pressure.
Such traits will be vital in the Spanish capital tomorrow, with Guardiola hailing Gundogan as one of the best players he has ever managed – high praise from a boss who has managed Lionel Messi.
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“I remember one season when we won, maybe the second Premier League, Fernandinho was injured for a long time and he played as a holding midfielder,” said Guardiola. “In games like Burnley, long balls, second balls, and he played - wow! I had the feeling that without him we wouldn’t be able to win the Premier League.
“He's so intelligent, Gundo. So clever. So competitive. Under pressure, he handles it without a problem.
“He’s one of the best players I ever trained in my career. The whole package. He’s top, top class.”
Gundogan's team-mates were equally gushing in their praise for him, with defender Manuel Akanji hailing him as the best he has played with at keeping the ball.
“I think he's the best player I've ever played the possession game with,” said Akanji. “I feel like he has eyes in the back of his head, really.
“When you pass him the ball, sometimes he does these turns and knows exactly what's happening around him. He's so good on the ball and a really important player for us. It just looks so effortless. He does a turn and it looks so easy.
“He could do it with his eyes closed and we're really happy to have him in the team. As a defender, you want to pass to a player you know won’t lose the ball and you want to give him good balls.”
Fellow City defender Rico Lewis said of Gundogan: “He's such a calm, cool and collected player that it makes your job easier.
“The composure he has, he never panics on the ball, even if he's being pressed. There's always an option in this team.”
Riyad Mahrez set up both of Gundogan's first-half goals, the latter's only blot a missed penalty, after Erling Haaland handed him the ball to take the spot-kick and seal his hat-trick.
Guardiola was livid with designated penalty taker Haaland, especially when Leeds pulled a goal back through Rodrigo five minutes from time, ensuring a nervy finale for City, who saw out the win to remain in control of the title race.
