Manchester City completed the formality of qualification for the Champions League group stage with a 1-0 win over Steaua Bucharest as Joe Hart bid a probable farewell to his adoring Etihad Stadium public.
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Hart may also face a battle to re-establish his worldwide career although new manager Sam Allardyce has said that he will name him on Sunday in his first squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.
While Joe Hart’s Manchester City career seems to be over he may still get the chance to say his goodbyes as Guardiola hasn’t ruled out starting him in goal against Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday. “Hopefully when we come back from the global break they will be fully part of our training sessions”.
“Bacary Sagna is not available”. Maybe at Old Trafford. Hart, Yaya Toure, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri and Wilfried Bony are among those yet to feature under Guardiola.
With his side having scored 11 times and conceded just once from open play in those games, Guardiola admits he is delighted by the way his players have hit the ground running this season.
Guardiola is not looking at the game that way, however, and is demanding maximum commitment from his players: “I will make some rotations”. I am learning from him as well, it’s not any pressure for me to play. It’s easier to work with small squads. Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round’s Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game.
“I can not deny what everyone knows”, he replied. We could play and receive a red card inside ten minutes… then a penalty… then another red card ten minutes later!’ We have a huge advantage but we will not play thinking it’s done.
City’s 5-0 win in the first leg qualifier equalled their biggest European win (also 5-0 v Lierse in 1969/70 Cup Winners’ Cup and 5-0 v The New Saints in 2003/04 UEFA Cup qualifying).
“It was a dream come true to play last season”, he smiled. I have seen many times in the Champions League – at half-time an experienced team like AC Milan were 3-0 ahead and the final was done, but Liverpool won the Champions League final.
“We suffered for five minutes after they scored but after that they didn’t create many chances”. There’s not many at the level we think can improve the strikers we’ve got.
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“It’s a situation, we’ve got a top manager that the club’s wanted for a long, long time and he’s going to have his opinion on things”. “He’s clear with me and me with him”.
