When Manchester City were soundly beaten by Bayern Munich at home in the Champions League group stage four months ago there was humility, and hope, as the players trudged off post-match.
Swept aside by a side that was just irresistibly good, they vowed to work to reach the same heights as the European champions.
Victory in Munich two months later provided a massive lift, but Tuesday night is where City can show just how much they have grown since that 3-1 October humbling – and if they are now at that level to beat the very best when it matters.
Very little could be bigger, or better, than pipping Barcelona for a place in the last eight of the competition. It will prove that talk of four trophies in this campaign is not just an arrogant boast, but that City really can rival Barca, Bayern and Real Madrid as the biggest club side in the world.
Boss Manuel Pellegrini might have bruised a few egos with his statement on Monday that his side had now surpassed neighbours United as a leading force.
At the moment, with City in the running for an historic quadruple and David Moyes’ men battling to qualify for the Champions League next season, he has every right to claim bragging rights.
But not if they finish empty handed, and especially not if Lionel Messi inspires another Barca masterclass over these two legs.
Ambitions and reputations depend on it, and City cannot afford defeat or perhaps even to concede a goal tonight. At home this season, they have been fearless and full of confidence.
Since the Bayern loss only Chelsea have breached fortress Etihad to plunder three Premier League points. But that was largely a tactical victory for Jose Mourinho’s men.
Barca won’t suffocate, stifle or hold back as Chelsea did, but counter-attacks will be key and City must not be caught out easily like they were against the Blues or Bayern.
They will have to play with the high intensity that has been a feature of their flamboyant football in this campaign, but more so with intelligence.
No player can afford to stroll, as they might have done in the domestic league, and expect to get away with it.
For all his outstanding and inspirational performances, Yaya Toure has been criticised for being too slow or ponderous to get back on the defensive front after an attack. That just cannot happen as Barca thrive on space and exploit gaps with a ruthlessness few teams can match.
While Pellegrini may be reluctant to change tactics too much, a midfield defensive screen of Javi Garcia and Fernandinho would make better use of Toure’s strengths in an advanced role alongside two of David Silva, Jesus Navas or Samir Nasri.
After all, 15 goals and countless scoring opportunities for teammates highlights the Ivorian’s attacking threat.
When Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan bought City in 2008, the Spanish club were the side they most wanted to emulate. Now is the perfect occasion to show they are no longer a work in progress and more than a match for them.
