Lionel Messi 's first goal for Paris Saint-Germain was notable not just for the Argentine's brilliance, but also the response that was forthcoming from his manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Messi scored in trademark fashion by slaloming his way towards the opposition penalty area and unleashing a pinpoint strike after playing a one-two with Kylian Mbappe, to seal PSG's 2-0 Champions League win over Manchester City.
Pochettino had been without the six-time Ballon d'Or winner for the past two matches due to injury.
But he handed his Argentine compatriot a start amid speculation that the pair could be at odds following his controversial substitution against Lyon nine days prior.
When Messi struck in the 74th minute to double his new side's lead, the PSG boss jumped out of his chair and celebrate - not something he regularly does when he witnesses his side score.
"Usually I don't celebrate goals, but today I did," Pochettino revealed post-match.
"I've spent 20 years watching him score goals from the other side of the opposite pavement and it's the first time he scores for a team I manage so I had to celebrate!"
The ex-Tottenham Hotspur boss also told RMC Sport that he was pleased with his whole XI, not just the superstars.
"I think the team put in a good performance. We were able to take the pressure during the difficult periods of the game, against a very good Manchester City side. We were able to play, to attack when it was needed," he explained.
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"Teams are built over time, these kinds of matches help do that. We’re trying to grow, to build something. We have a very positive squad that knows what it needs to do. It was a great match from our players, they have to be congratulated."
Pochettino added: "It was a great collective effort. Of course, there are things to improve."
Messi himself said it was "important" to play in PSG's biggest game of 2020-21 so far and stills feels he is settling in at the Parc des Princes after leaving former club Barcelona after 21 years this summer.
"I really wanted to get out there. I haven't played much," he admitted.
"I'm still getting used to my teammates, the team, and today was an important moment."
Ex-Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye had opened the scoring after eight minutes and despite City dominating proceedings, PSG were more clinical.
But the Citizens manager was still happy with the shift his side put in, against a team who boast an "unstoppable" player in Messi.
"We dealt with PSG first of all, but we know it's impossible to control Leo for 90 minutes," Guardiola said.
"He was not much in touch with the ball - of course he was coming back from injury, he needed a bit of rhythm - but we know quite well when he can run and get close to the ball, he is unstoppable.
"What we have done is minimise, as much as possible, these kind of options and create the chances that we could create and I'm satisfied with the way we played. People can't deny that we were there," he stated.
"We arrived here, we did our game, but it's always a risk when you lose the ball and they can make one pass, especially with [Marco] Verratti, an exceptional, extraordinary player, and make contact with Neymar and Messi and they can run, it's difficult.
Guardiola concluded: "We did a really good game, but we should have scored goals and we didn't do it. That's why we lost."
