Jack Grealish admitted that his scrap with Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal caused him physical problems.
After 90 minutes of sheer thrilling intensity in the Bernabeu, the two sides will head to the Etihad next week with the tie locked at 1-1 after Kevin de Bruyne's second half stunner cancelled out Vinicius Jnr's equally sublime strike. But for all the liquid football on show, there was also no shortage of controversy either, with the former Aston Villa man at the heart of one volatile incident during a long-running battle with the Spain international.
While trying to retrieve a long ball down the left, the midfielder was shunted in the back by home full-back Carvajal, sending him into the advertising hoardings. The star reacted angrily, making contact with Carvajal's arm before his opposite number dubiously went down holding his face.
But afterwards, the 27-year-old appeared to relish both the 'battle' with the European champions, as well as the experienced Carvajal. And that's despite admitting the nature of the contest left him hampered in both of his legs for the first time.
"It's difficult. They let us have the first pass a few times and then had a high press," he told BT Sport. "Playing against Carvajal, I can't count the amount of people who told me before you don't know what it's going to be like.
"Good battle, I really enjoyed it. I am tired. I've never had cramp before but I had it in both calves. I loved it, man. You can have a few nerves but these are the nights you play football for and dream of.
"At a stadium and a game like this, it's like a dream come true."
The tie appears perfectly poised, but England international Grealish argued that City's current home form means they will be brimming with belief come 8pm next Wednesday.
"At the Etihad, we feel unstoppable there," he added. "We came here to try to win, but it shows our character to go a goal down in a place like this. In the end I think it was a fair result. They had their chances, we had a few. I really enjoyed it.
"I had a text from my mum before the game saying these are the nights you dreamed of as a kid. Everyone in the world was watching. Sometimes you pinch yourself. This is the life, innit."
