If this is to prove Joe Hart's swansong he was given a stylish send-off by
Manchester City fans who left Pep Guardiola with zero doubt regarding
their affection for the 29-year-old. On 65 minutes the support sang
"Stand up if you love Joe Hart" and the Etihad Stadium rose to create a
moment that was touching and one the under-pressure goalkeeper may
never forget.
It was that kind of night throughout. The actual game was academic
given the 5-0 lead City held over Steaua Bucharest from last week's
opening leg in Romania. Hart had finally been selected by the manager
for the side's fourth match of the season, and asked to help seal a place
for City in Thursday's Champions League group stage draw.
This they duly did, and Guardiola's choice of captain was classy. Hart
wore the armband as Yaya Touré also made a first appearance of the
season. The Ivorian lined up in an XI that showed eight changes from
Saturday's 4-1 dismantling of Stoke City.
The evening began with Hart offering a
thumbs-up to applauding fans following his
warm-up and cheers from them when his
first touch with a boot proved a sure-footed
pass.
As a super-sized banner was unfurled
bearing the legend "THIS IS YOUR CITY"
with a picture of Guardiola over a streetscape of Manchester landmarks,
the Catalan's full-backs were again adopting a tactic first spotted on
opening day here. This featured Gaël Clichy and the 19-year-old Spaniard
Pablo Maffeo, a right-back on debut, moving infield to become de facto
midfielders when City attacked.
Also notable was the near-constant conversation Guardiola had with John
Stones in the opening part of the half. The central defender took
instructions on where and when to pass and was told as vehemently to
relay similar instructions to defensive colleagues. Stones was also a main
channel via which much of City's play began, stroking long and short
passes around in the manner for which he was bought.
After 25 minutes there had been scant action in either goalmouth. Nolito
managed one volley on the turn, though it was hit weakly at Valentin
Cojocaru in the visiting goal. Later Fabian Delph, who partnered
Fernando in midfield, found space and fired a low shot but again it failed
to trouble the goalkeeper.
Hart did not deal as smoothly with a Steaua corner. When it was
delivered he rose to punch the ball away only to be left flapping as Touré
beat him to it. This was the closest Laurentiu Reghecampf's team had
come to clawing back one of the five unanswered goals they required to
take this tie into extra time. Three minutes before the interval Hart mis-
controlled a regulation backpass, hardly helping to support the idea
Guardiola is unfairly maligning him for a clumsy touch.
The Catalan's drive for perfection meant he would demand a step up in
quality for the second half. As Hart wandered to the goal before the south
stand he was regaled with "City's No1" and, wryly, "He'll pass when he
wants". There did indeed follow some deft control and an offload with
his right boot, and he watched as seconds later Stones rose in Steaua's
area. The former Everton man's header was wide of Cojocaru's right
post, however.
Eight minutes after the interval Reghecampf made a move, taking off
Adnan Aganovic and Ovidiu Popescu for Adrian Popa and Nicolae
Stanciu, the latter a player who is interesting Premier League clubs. It did
not help Steaua as City promptly roved towards Cojocaru's goal and
opened the scoring. This was regulation stuff as Jesús Navas stood the
ball up and Delph headed expertly past the keeper. It was the midfielder's
third goal for the club and took City to a 6‑0 aggregate lead.
It also meant Guardiola could make his own substitutions and rest two
key men. Off came Nolito for the 19-year-old José Tasende – also known
as Angeliño – and Stones for Tosin Adarabioyo, 18 – both were making
their bows in the competition.
The City manager stopped Stones as he strode past to have yet another
word regarding tactics and in-game strategy, during what was now a
glorified training session. There was also chat with Aleksandar Kolarov
about similar matters during a stop in play moments later.
Then came the home faithful taking to their feet to applaud Hart, the
keeper appearing to touch the City crest and showing understandable
emotion. Hart's concentration held still, though, as at one point he, fresh
from a vote of confidence from England manager Sam Allardyce, raced
out to hoof the ball to safety, and in another ensured his defence
marshalled a rare Steaua attack.
A late injury to Kelechi Iheanacho – he pulled up when chasing a ball
down, and Guardiola later said he does not know how serious the problem
is – was the only sour note. Unless you are Hart, of course, who
acknowledged the stands at length after the final whistle. Despite the
sentiment, deep down he will be hurting.
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