Joe Hart returns, Man City enters Champions League group stage

After three consecutive games on the sidelines, goalkeeper Joe Hart returned to the Man City goal as they beat Steaua 6-0 on aggregate in the Champions League qualifiers.

Goalkeeper Joe Hart returns to the Man City goal after three consecutive games on the sidelines. Photo: Reuters

Goal: Fabian Delph 56' (6-0 aggregate)

In the second leg of the qualifying round on the evening of August 24, at home, Man City beat Steaua with a minimum score. This result, along with the 5-0 score in the first leg, helped the English team win the final like a tennis set.

The highlight of Man City's victory was Joe Hart, the starting goalkeeper for many previous seasons. In the first three matches of this season, Hart is no longer the number one choice. New coach Pep Guardiola values ​​the safe play of goalkeeper Willy Carbalero more, and is about to sign Claudio Bravo from Barca.

With the affection that he has created in the hearts of many fans for many years, Hart received great support when he entered the field. Throughout the match, the audience at the Etihad Stadium continuously chanted: "Don't sell Hart". In response, the goalkeeper wearing the number one shirt did not make any mistakes in the second leg. Hart also affirmed that Pep is a top coach and will happily accept any decision about the future.

Compared to the first leg, Man City used more substitutes. Pep only kept center-back Stones and striker Nolito in the starting lineup, while Yaya Toure, Fernando and Jesus Navas all played from the start like Hart.

Playing with a "second-rate" team did not affect the result too much. Like the first leg, Man City still had the advantage over Steaua. After a goalless first half, the home team at Etihad scored the only goal in the 56th minute thanks to left winger Fabian Delph.

Also winning in the series on the evening of August 24 was Moenchengladbach (Germany). This team crushed Young Boys (Switzerland) with a score of 6-1, thereby winning the right to enter the group stage with a final score of 9-2. Thorgan Hazard, the younger brother of midfielder Eden Hazard, shone with a hat-trick forMoenchengladbach.

While Man City andMoenchengladbach both made it to the group stage, while former European champions Ajax were eliminated after a 4-1 defeat in Russia. Hosts FC Rostov scored four goals in the first 66 minutes, before Ajax pulled off a consolation goal through Davy Klaasen in the 84th minute. Rostov won 5-2.

According to VNE