“That was a really special night for me. We all know there is a situation going on. This is a special place for me, I've made no secret of that. Situations occur in football. We are men and we get on with it.”, Joe Hart – 24/08/2016.
Goals; Delph (55')
Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Hart (c) (7)
Maffeo (6.5)
Clichy (6), (Angelino (6) 60')
Kolorov (7)
Stones (7.5), (Adarabioyo (5.5) 60')
Fernando (6)
Navas (6)
Delph (7)
Iheanacho (6.5), (Fernandhino (5.5) 75')
Toure (6.5),
Nolito (7)
Stats;Possession, 62%/38%; Shots, 10(6)/6(3); Fouls, 17/8
Referee; Pawel Gil (7)
Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Hart (c) (7)
Maffeo (6.5)
Clichy (6), (Angelino (6) 60')
Kolorov (7)
Stones (7.5), (Adarabioyo (5.5) 60')
Fernando (6)
Navas (6)
Delph (7)
Iheanacho (6.5), (Fernandhino (5.5) 75')
Toure (6.5),
Nolito (7)
Stats;Possession, 62%/38%; Shots, 10(6)/6(3); Fouls, 17/8
Referee; Pawel Gil (7)
Stated as a dead cert City win before the game, it took a much changed City side fifty-five minutes to break down a stubborn Steaua team, determined not to leak any more goals following last week's 5-0 hammering.
Of the eight changes made to the City starting line-up , the obvious talking points were the reintroduction of Joe Hart (Captain for the night) and Yaya Toure into the starting eleven. Both acquitted themselves well, Joe in particular using what might be his last appearance to show what City may miss if he does depart the club this summer. Having shown that if forced he will use his feet for short passes, he was particularly impressive when called into action on 73', making two saves in quick succession, first pushing over Stanciu's free-kick and then blocking Tudorie's effort.
The use of two banks of five by Staeua left little in the way of space for City's attack, but there were flickers of what Guardiola is trying to instill into the squad. As well as the obligatory pressing, there was some incisive passing back to front from Kolorov and Stones, as well as some quicker balls into the box. City did, however, miss the influence of Sterling, De Bruyne, and Silva; but given the quality in those three names this season that is hardly surprising.
The deadlock was eventually broken on 55' when Delph, playing in an unfamiliar advanced position, rose to get his head to Navas's well weighted cross from just inside the right of the penalty area. Otherwise the game had little of note save Iheanacho's hopefully precautionary substitution for a possible calf muscle injury, having previously ran himself ragged looking for an opening past Steaua's parked bus.
City can be pleased to have continued their 100% start to the Season in all competitions, and can go into the hat for the Champions League draw with confidence, no matter what group stages will bring. If Joe does move on, he can do so knowing his professionalism on and off the pitch has shone through as much in his last game as his first, and that he will always have a place in the heart of the City faithful.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
