Mauricio Pochettino and Pep Guardiola were so overcome by the nerve-shredding tension of this night that their only answer was to start shedding clothes.
Tottenham boss Pochettino’s trademark black coat was hurled amid the drama of Raheem Sterling’s disallowed injury-time strike while Manchester City counterpart Guardiola emerged from the same melee minus his stylish grey cardigan.
It was like Etihad Stadium’s version of rush hour – both technical areas populated by scores of people, the clock ticking down while VAR did its work.
It was a moment of glorious sporting carnage and matchless excitement that capped off a night that ranks alongside the most dramatic the Champions League has witnessed.
City and Spurs did not waste time warming up. Instead, it was chaos from the start. No sparring or cagey exchanges here – the first 21 minutes brought five goals and there was no let-up from first whistle to last.
It is rare you get a game that starts at such breakneck speed and simply keeps going until the 95th minute – or a bit longer if you add in VAR deliberations.
These two teams were magnificent in different ways and it was always going to be cruel on the loser, but neutrals could bask in the heady excitement of a game that delivered everything that makes this sport great.
And it was all presided over by the newcomer VAR, adding an extra dimension of delayed tension.
First, Fernando Llorente’s ultimately decisive goal was awarded after lengthy consultation over a potential handball, while Sterling’s late effort was ruled out with Sergio Aguero deemed just offside.
It was a night not to be forgotten, even for those of us who have seen so many things football has to offer.
Guardiola called on the City fans to show how much this competition – somewhat unloved by a section of them – meant to the club. There was even the questionable garnish of thousands of flags placed on seats to help things along.
Yet on this night, with all that was at stake and the drama that duly unfolded, a searing atmosphere inside the Etihad was a given. It may have ended in defeat for City but there is no need to question their fans’ desire to win the Champions League.
