It was hardly a surprise that Manchester City's makeshift starting XI couldn't generate much of a tempo in the first half against Sevilla on Wednesday.
With seven changes, and nothing to play for, City went through the motions in the first period as Sevilla sat deep and restricted space for the Blues. Rafa Mir's opener for the Spaniard's barely mustered a response from the Etihad crowd more focussed on shielding from the rain and there was no spark to ignite a flat atmosphere.
That was until Rodri came off the bench for Jack Grealish at half-time, followed by Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Joao Cancelo. Pep Guardiola may not have wanted to use any of those players, but they undoubtedly changed the game and proved their importance to the Blues.
