Diego Simeone's side performed with their brand name protective discipline, confining City to not very many open doors until De Bruyne jumped to make the leap forward with 20 minutes left.
Phil Foden, on as a substitute, created the snapshot of sorcery to open Atletico with an ideal pass through the legs of Reinildo for De Bruyne to space past goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
It was the conclusive second in the most secure of games yet City administrator Pep Guardiola's wild festival represented exactly the amount it means to take a lead, regardless of whether slim, to Madrid for the second leg on 13 April.
Foden presentation flashes City
It was obvious from the initial minutes this would have been a night for persistence from City as Atletico, to nobody's incredible amazement, hung a bank of five protectors across the pitch and welcomed Guardiola's side to separate them.
For the initial 45 minutes it worked flawlessly as the hosts scarcely laid a glove on the Spanish bosses, who safeguarded attendant Oblak with the tirelessness and want Simeone requests.
It was really Atletico who compromised with several breaks right off the bat in the final part, however City ultimately figured out how to force themselves and become to a greater extent a danger.
De Bruyne saw a free-kick all around saved by Oblak and Aymeric Laporte headed over from a decent position following a corner.
However, it was the presentation of Foden that at long last permitted City to spread some stardust on procedures.
He showed brilliant control and vision to nutmeg Reinildo, permitting De Bruyne to fire low past Oblak to light what had been a strained, generally quelled environment inside Etihad Stadium.
City couldn't add a second regardless of their strain, however any lead is valuable against an Atletico side who have made a speciality of disappointing Premier League goliaths previously.
Liverpool found that out in 2020 when they lost the two legs as holders in the last 16, while Manchester United were likewise wiped out at a similar stage this season.
Simeone walked off in resistant style at the last whistle and the Argentine will properly feel Atletico are still in this tie - it would be imprudence to excuse Simeone or his sturdy Champions League campaigners.
The onus, in any case, is presently on them to go after in the bring leg back. This might well suit City more than separating the red and white mass of opposition that made their lives so troublesome until that significant De Bruyne strike on his 50th Champions League appearance for the club.
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