Hitzfeld has also described Guardiola as a “tactics freak” and suggested that he has neglected the man-management aspect of his job. “He engages in match situations day and night, but his interpersonal relationship he has not focused on the team,” he said. “He has had almost no team meetings. For now, Jupp Heynckes is more successful than Guardiola.”

In response, it was notable on Monday night that Guardiola should repeatedly use the word “adapt” to describe his own philosophy and what he expects of his players. The message was that his style of play at Barcelona and Bayern has been a consequence not of dogma but the players at his disposal and that we might yet see something very different at Manchester City.

“We will attack with the whole team, that is the way we will play,” he said. “We have to control the game, have possession. I played this way with Barça because I have special players who can play this style, I have the same here. Very early I noticed we have great qualities.