If he wanted to, Pep Guardiola could try and name a completely different starting XI for Manchester City's final Champions League group fixture at RB Leipzig on Tuesday.
City are guaranteed top spot in the group after the home win over Paris Saint-Germain last time out, while Leipzig effectively just need to match Club Brugge's result against the French side to secure a Europa League spot.
For City, though, there is no benefit to fielding a full-strength side when Guardiola can give his fringe players some much-needed game-time while resting those who have been in such good form recently.
Guardiola recently complained that players like Bernardo Silva and Rodri have been playing too much, so expect the pair to be rested, along with regular Joao Cancelo - City's most-used player this season.
So who can use the opportunity to send a message to Guardiola?
In goal, Zack Steffen may hope for a recall to keep himself fresh for the new year. Usually, Steffen would be in line for a Carabao Cup quarter-final this month in his role as cup goalkeeper, but City's rare exit in that competition has deprived him of an expected appearance. It would make sense to give Ederson a night off, and allow Steffen to regain some sharpness.
Likewise, Nathan Ake can build on a solid showing against Aston Villa when injuries and suspension shot him into the starting XI. With Aymeric Laporte and John Stones returning, however, Ake was back on the bench at Watford this weekend. Ake, if recalled in Germany, would be keen to remind Guardiola why he should be getting more game-time, as can Stones.
Aleks Zinchenko is another likely to get the nod, especially with Joao Cancelo in line for a rest. Zinchenko has looked good whenever given the nod, but can't argue with Cancelo's undroppable form. This could be an opportunity to show once again that Zinchenko is always a reliable option at left-back.
Speaking of reliable, if Rodri is to get a rest then there's nobody better to step in than Fernandinho in the base of midfield. For a much-changed side, the captain's leadership will be invaluable, and his recent performances have shown the value of his experience and quality.
Then there are two players who could do with starts to rediscover some form. Kevin De Bruyne needs as many games as he can to play his way back into form and fitness after making his long-awaited comeback at the weekend.
Then, Jack Grealish can also try and replicate his goalscoring performance in the reverse fixture on the European stage he's dreamed of for so long. There's a feeling that Grealish needs one game to open the floodgates, and his missed chances vs Watford show that he's getting into the right positions. How he could do with a goal in Germany if given the chance.
