But while the backline was low on numbers for the clash, they will mostly rue their lack of attacking vigour, having managed just one shot on target and failing to score in a home Premier League game for the first time since October 2021.
The champions sit three points behind the league leaders, who beat Brighton 2-1 before kick-off at the Etihad, although they will still fancy themselves as they vie for a second consecutive Treble.
While City managed to cope without Stones, Walker and Ederson, there is one player City would fear losing most. Rodri is yet to taste defeat when he has been on the pitch for his club this season, and Guardiola's side will visibly struggle without him.
The only four times the club has lost this season is when the Spaniard wasn't playing. He missed Premier League games against Wolves, Arsenal and Aston Villa because he had too many red and yellow cards.
If Rodri gets a yellow card in the game against Aston Villa on Wednesday and again in the game against Crystal Palace on Saturday, he won't be able to play in the league games against Luton and Brighton.
If he gets two yellow cards in different games up to and including the game against Luton on April 13, Rodri will miss the games against Brighton and Nottingham Forest. But if he gets his 10th yellow card of the season in the club's 33rd match - the trip to Brighton - he won't get banned.
Bans don't carry over to other domestic competitions anymore, so Rodri could still play in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on April 20. And domestic bans have never counted in Europe, so he could play against Real Madrid in both legs, unless he gets a red card in the first leg.
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