Tagged as a ‘dead rubber’ fixture in the media because City had already won the group and Red Star would finish bottom no matter what, it would have been easy for this game to have been largely forgettable.
But when Pep Guardiola is manager, there is always something at stake - and the chance to impress the boss was at the forefront of many of the players who started against Red Star.
And impress they did!
With nine changes from the side that beat Luton at the weekend, there was also a debut for Micah Hamilton and the chance for Oscar Bobb to lead the line.
What ensued was a hugely entertaining clash and a five-goal thriller.
City led thanks to stunning goals from debutant Hamilton and a fine individual effort from Bobb.
The hosts pulled one back before Kalvin Phillips scored from the spot to make it 3-1.
The hosts scored again in added time to set up a grandstand finish in a competitive game full of incident.
Watch the best of the action by playing the video above...
