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Indeed, it was telling that Inter Milan's best chances on Saturday night came after Stones had made way for Walker, when Inter were able to pin Guardiola's team back for the first time in the contest.
Not that Stones' role had been a particularly defensive one before that. In fact, as well as completing seven out of eight attempted dribbles, most of which came in Inter's half as City were trying to break Simone Inzaghi's side down, Stones had more touches in the opposition box than his own.
In a fraught first half, even his team-mates seemed surprised by the freedom of his movement. Stones was always asking for the ball but did not always get it. "We were so anxious, we could not find the free man, John Stones," reflected Guardiola later. "But it was a question of being patient."
It changed after the break, with City gradually finding their rhythm and Stones central to it. In the second half, he had more touches (31 to 26) and made more passes (20 to 17) - and that despite being substituted for the last eight minutes, plus stoppage time.