Colin Sheridan: Erling, I feel your pain, though Pep does not

Liberté, égalité, absurdité. Only way is up for Wembanyama and early loss for a later gain.

TOUGH LOVE: Manchester City's Erling Haaland (left) shakes hands with manager Pep Guardiola after being substituted. Photo credit: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

Association football is a funny old game, especially when plucky underdogs Real Madrid are hailed as the saviours of a game perpetually held at gunpoint by oligarchs and state ownership.

Their eventual triumph over Manchester City on Wednesday at the Etihad had a touch of the David versus Goliath about it. An upset. The rebels infiltrated the Death Star and brought down the Evil Empire.