With 30 seconds left on the clock, City patiently pass the ball around inside their own half of the pitch as they look to run the clock down and bring an end to what has been a phenomenal victory for them. The ball finally goes out of play and, despite there still being 25 seconds left to play, the referee brings an end to Steaua's misery and blows the whistle for the final time.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time.
89'
S. Agüero has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by Fernandinho.
Fernandinho's pass into the feet of Aguero was an excellent one, but, once again, the Steaua defence were all at sea and failed to deal with the danger from Aguero. Tamas and Tosca have had a horrendous night and have looked incredibly open from start to finish. As a result, they have been torn apart by City's hungry front line.
GOAL! Aguero wraps up his hat-trick! Fernandinho slots a lovely pass through the middle of two Steaua players that finds Aguero, and the Argentine spins quickly before sprinting towards the penalty area. He's easily able to beat Tamas and then slots a lovely low shot past Nita and into the back of the net to make it 5-0 to the visitors.
87'
Tamas charges into Nolito and brings the Spaniard crashing to the ground before earning himself a late yellow card. Silva steps up and sends the resutling free-kick flying over towards the far post, but it fails to find a City player and is just about deal with by Steaua.
Guardiola is still barking orders at his players from the touchline, and he doesn't seem entirely satisfied despite being four goals up. His side have been helped by poor defending from Steaua, but, despite a few nervy moments off the ball, they have been excellent and fully deserve their emphatic victory.
86'
G. Tamaș gets yellow.
85'
It's all City at the moment as they patiently pass the ball around deep inside the Steaua half of the pitch. The hosts are now sitting desperately deep and are trying their hardest to avoid falling any further behind. It really has been a miserable evening for the Romanian side.
83'
A defensive mix-up from Steaua gifts City with another opportunity to hit the hosts on the break, and it's one that almost results in a chance on goal. Silva charges into the penalty area before trying to play a quick one-two with Nolito, but the latter's pass back to his fellow Spaniard is cut out just as it's about to reach the number 21.
81'
Excellent save by Nita! City keep piling the pressure on Steaua's back line, which is crumbling under the strain. Sagna breaks into the right-hand side of the penalty area and heads to the byline before cutting a great pass back to Nolito, but the Spaniard's low shot is pushed away by Nita before it can find the bottom left-hand corner of the net. It's been a tough night for him, but the goalkeeper has certainly been one of his side's best players.
79'
Fernando enters the game and replaces K. De Bruyne.
City have made their final substitution, and it's a defensive one, with Fernando taking the place of De Bruyne in the middle of the pitch.
78'
S. Agüero has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by Nolito.
Steaua's defence have really struggled this evening, but City have done well to make the Romanian side pay with plenty of excellent football. The passing in the build-up to that goal was exquisite, and it showed just how good the visitors' front line can be when they're playing at their best.
GOAL! It's another for City! Steaua are all over the place at the back, and they're continuing to leave far too much space available for the City front line. The visitors pass the ball around beautifully thanks to wonderful play from De Bruyne, Nolito and Aguero, and the latter then slots a great low shot past Nita and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. That was sublime!
Minute
Description
76'
And now Silva goes close! Steaua are unable to clear their lines and, once again, City come back at the hosts. This time it's Silva who is able to get a shot away after doing well to skip past his marker on the edge of the box, but his curling strike ends up swerving just wide of the near post after beating Nita.
75'
G. Clichy enters the game and replaces A. Kolarov.
City have made their second change of the evening, with Kolarov making way for Clichy in a like-for-like switch.
Great save by Nita! De Bruyne and Sterling link up well before the latter manages to poke a pass into the path of Aguero before he's brought down on the edge of the penalty area. The Argentine striker is in a pocket of space and does well to get away a quick shot, but, not for the first time tonight, Nita is there to tip the strike away from goal with a strong one-handed save.
73'
Tudorie, who has seen very little of the ball since coming on at half-time, breaks down the right flank before latching on to a loose ball forward, but the linesman's flag is quickly raised and he's denied the opportunity to have his first chance on goal.
72'
Silva almost makes it 4-0! City move the ball around brilliantly as they carve open Steaua's lacklustre defence. It reaches Silva on the edge of the penalty area and he immediately darts into the box before looking to shoot from close range, but Tamas, who has grown into the game as its worn on, is there to muscle the Spaniard off the ball at the vital moment.
70'
B. Sagna enters the game and replaces P. Zabaleta.
City have decided to make their first alteration of the night, with Sagna coming on to replace Zabaleta.
69'
With three goals under their belts, City are now sitting slightly deeper than before and are doing well to keep a tiring Steaua side at bay. Hamroun, who has done little since his change on goal in the first half, has a rare opportunity to break down the right wing before swinging a cross into the penalty area, but it's poorly hit and fails to beat the first man.
67'
Ovidiu Popescu enters the game and replaces S. Muniru.
Steaua have made their final change of the game, with Muniru making way for Ovidiu Popescu.
66'
Popa and Silva come together in the middle of the pitch, resulting in a free-kick for Steaua in a dangerous position. Stanciu steps up and unleashes a thumping strike from set-piece that deflects out for a corner, but the attacking midfielder is unable to make the second set-piece count as a wild effort from Muniru on the edge of the penalty area spins up into the air and away from danger.
64'
City look to be in complete control at the moment, both at the back and when they push forward on patient attacking moves. Popa has continued to be Steaua's best player, but, despite getting himself into a good position deep down the right wing, he's unable to link up properly with Enache and City do well to deal with the danger.
62'
Great chance for Aguero! A half-hearted Steaua attacking move breaks down on the halfway line, and City immediately fly forward on an excellent counter-attack down the right wing. De Bruyne flies forward on a quick run before firing a low cross into the feet of Aguero, but the striker's first-time flicked effort from close range fails to beat Nita in the middle of the goal.
60'
Precise, one-touch passing from City sees them comfortably weave their way through a sea of red and blue shirts camped deep inside their own half of the pitch. The ball finds De Bruyne on the edge of the Steaua penalty area, and he quickly tries to poke a pass past Tosca and into the path of Aguero, but the centre-back is just about able to get a toe on the ball to stop it from finding the Argentine striker.
58'
A. Toșca gets yellow.
And now Tosca becomes the latest Steaua player to enter the referee's book after bringing Sterling down to the ground with a hefty challenge over on the right wing.
57'
A. Tudorie gets yellow.
Zabaleta and Tudorie battle for a loose ball on the edge of the halfway line, and it's the Argentine who comes off second best after being clattered into by a high foot from the striker. He isn't happy with the decision, but the referee shows him a yellow card for a poor challenge.
55'
After a brief break in play, Stanciu steps up and curls a dangerous cross into the heart of the City penalty area, but Kolarov is there to thump the ball out for a corner over on the left wing. The second set-piece is just as impressive as the first, but this time it's Otamendi who is there to clear the danger with a strong header.
53'
A. Kolarov gets yellow.
Kolarov tries to push Popa away as he attempts to charge down the left wing on a quick counter-attack, but he ends up striking the Romanian in the face and gives away a free-kick before earning himself a yellow card.
52'
And now Aguero goes close! De Bruyne picks up the ball on the halfway line and immediately launches a brilliant long-range pass over the top of the Steaua defence and into the feet of Aguero. The Argentine's first touch is excellent and his shot is almost as good, but it flies just wide of the near post and into one of the cameras behind the goal.
51'
Another chance for Nolito! Steaua are looking incredibly open at the back, and it's making life incredibly easy for City, who look hungry for more goals. Once again, Nolito uses his pace to beat his marker before penetrating the left-hand side of the penalty area, but this time his close-range strike hits the outside of the post after flying past Nita.
49'
Nolito has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by K. De Bruyne.
De Bruyne had a slightly quiet first half, but that pass to Nolito was one of the best of the night. Still, Steaua's defence were at sixes and sevens once again and were incredibly sloppy in their dealing with Nolito, who was able to slip through the back line far too easily.
GOAL! It's 3-0 to City! The visitors calmly work the ball around the edge of the Steaua penalty area before it comes to De Bruyne on the right-hand side of the box. He skips past Momcilovic far too easily before sending a beautiful pass through the hosts' defence and into the feet of Nolito, and the Spaniard then does wonderfully well to round Nita with ease before slotting the ball into the back of an empty net.
48'
Stanciu goes close! Steaua come back once again and win themselves a corner thanks to good play by Popa. It's taken quickly and sent short to Stanciu, who sprints into the left-hand side of the penalty area and tries to beat Caballero with a low shot from a tight angle that can only find the side-netting.
47'
Steaua immediately start positively as they charge into the City half of the pitch. Tudorie does well to penetrate the penalty area before spinning and finding Popa, but the winger's pass back to the striker is slightly overhit and is just about dealt with by Otamendi at the vital moment.
46'
A. Bourceanu enters the game and replaces V. Achim.
A. Tudorie enters the game and replaces B. Golubović.
And the second is Tudorie, who has replaced struggling striker Golubovic, who picked up a nasty eye injury at the start of the game.
Steaua have decided to make a double substitution as they try to find a way back into the game. The first player to come on is Bourceanu, who takes the place of Achim.
And we're underway once again!
45'
Fernandinho gives away a free-kick in the middle of the pitch that's quickly sent into the path of Popa, who makes a great run into the left-hand side of the City penalty area. He's quickly closed down by black shirts but is just about able to swing a volleyed cross over to Enache, but the right-back's first touch is poor and allows the visitors to regain possession on the edge of the box before the referee brings an end to what has been a thoroughly entertaining first half.
43'
Chance for Popa! The right-winger has certainly been Steaua's best player thus far, and he's been causing Kolarov problems with his pace. He sprints down the right flank and unleashes a thumping shot that bounces off the back of the Serbian. It comes back to him, however, and he then fires an even better strike that Caballero does well to parry up into the air.
41'
S. Agüero has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by R. Sterling.
GOAL! That was beautiful from City! Kolarov and Nolito link up well deep down the left flank before the latter chips a curling cross over to Sterling. The winger meets the ball on the edge of the penalty area and immediately pokes it into the path of Aguero, who makes up for his penalty misses by curling a fantastic shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net to double his side's lead.
Aguero's finish was excellent but Sterling deserves a lot of credit for his role in the goal. The winger has looked dangerous with the ball at his feet and weighted his pass perfectly to give Aguero the best chance of firing in City's second goal of the evening.
40'
Fantastic save by Nita! Once again, the pace of Sterling causes plenty of problems for the Steaua back line, who fall asleep and allow the winger to dart into the right-hand side of the penalty area. He meets a lofted ball well in front of goal and immediately tries to curl a half-volleyed shot into the top left-hand corner of the net, but Nita is there to tip the effort over the crossbar with a wonderful one-handed stop.
39'
Kolarov hits the crossbar! Tamas charges into the back of Nolito and pushes the Spaniard to the floor, resulting in a free-kick for City that is taken quickly and results in a corner over on the left wing. Silva steps up and curls a great cross right on to the feet of Kolarov, but the Serbian's first-time volley ends up hitting the top of the crossbar after beating the outstretched hand of Nita.
37'
After starting the game so brightly, City are now on the back foot and dealing with plenty of determined attacking moves from Steaua, who are desperately trying to find a way back into the clash. They do well to work their way down the right flank before earning themselves a throw-in in a dangerous position, but Golubovic is unable to find a teammate with his attempted flicked header and can only send it bouncing into the hands of Caballero.
35'
Steaua put good pressure on City and quickly win the ball back through Tamas, who attempts to charge towards the penalty area but is clumsily fouled by Fernandinho and wins his side a free-kick in an advantageous position. Stanciu steps up and finds the centre-back with a curling cross towards the far post, but the defender's attempted ball back into the box is poor and bounces out of play for a throw-in over on the opposite flank.
33'
A smart cross-field pass finds Sterling over on the right wing, but his first touch is poor and allows Muniru to pick up possession just outside of the Steaua penalty area. The hosts then try to break forward on a quick counter-attack that starts on the left flank before taking place deep down the right, but Nolito tracks back well and is able to steal the ball from under Stanciu's nose.
31'
A poor pass from Caballero almost causes problems for the City back line, but they do well to deal with the danger before working the ball into the Steaua half of the pitch. The visitors then patiently pass the ball around on the edge of the penalty area as they try to find a way past the sea of red and blue shirts camped in front of them, but they're unable to do so and Tamas is eventually able to blast the ball back up the pitch and away from danger.
29'
Fantastic opportunity for Hamroun! A misplaced Nolito pass is pounced on by Popa, who immediately flies down the right flank on an excellent run. He sprints into the space in front of him before finding Stanciu, who quickly pokes the ball over to Hamroun on the left-hand side of the City penalty area, but the Algerian's close-range shot is fired straight at Caballero, who is easily able to save the effort.
27'
Lovely play by Nolito! The Spaniard really is causing plenty of problems down the left wing, and Enache has no idea how to deal with him. This time he skips past the full-back and beats Tamas before finding Silva once again, and the goalscorer spins to set up De Bruyne. The Belgian takes a quick touch before trying to beat Nita at the near post, but he drags his shot slightly and sends it a few yards wide of its intended target.
25'
Once again, Kolarov and Nolito link up well deep down the left flank, with the former playing a lovely one-two with the latter to take Enache completely out of the game. The Serbian then cuts a smart pass back to Silva, who is in space inside the penalty area, but he's quickly closed down by three red and blue shirts and is eventually dispossessed by Tamas.
23'
Chance for Kolarov! Steaua are really struggling down the right wing, where Kolarov and Nolito are causing them plenty of problems with their marauding runs forward. This time, the Serbian full-back cuts inside from the flank and unleashes a shot after finishing himself in a pocket of space 25 yards away from goal, but his strike takes a deflection off a defender that sends it looping just over the top of the crossbar and out for a corner that fails to result in a chance for City.
21'
MISS! Aguero steps up and tries to bury a thumping shot into the roof of the net, but it's completely overhit and sails several yards over the top of the crossbar. The striker looks absolutely devastated, and it's no wonder why!
20'
PENALTY! For the second time in 12 minutes, Steaua have given away a penalty! Kolarov charges into the left-hand side of the box and heads towards the byline before looking to cut inside, but he's completely taken out by a rash sliding challenge from Enache. The hosts look all over the place at the back and are making life far too easy for their opponents.
19'
Popa picks up the ball over on the right flank and immediately embarks on an excellent run down the wing. He skips past Kolarov with ease and then swings a dangerous cross towards Golubovic, who is in a great position in front of goal, but the big Bosnian is beaten to the ball by Otamendi, who does well to meet the cross first.
17'
Whilst they've looked positive going forward, City haven't been quite as solid at the back. Once again a misplaced pass gives Steaua a chance to push forward on a quick counter-attack down the right wing, but a wonderfully struck cross-field pass fails to result in a chance in goal after Hamroun carelessly strays into an offside position deep down the left flank.
15'
Despite enjoying the first chance of the game, it's been a tough start to the evening for Steaua, who, bar a couple of moments, have seen very little of the ball thus far. City have enjoyed the vast majority of possession inside the hosts' half of the pitch, and every time they push forward the visitors look incredibly dangerous in and around the penalty area.
13'
David Silva has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by R. Sterling.
Sterling deserves a lot of credit for the pressure that he put on Tosca, but the centre-back was certainly at fault for what should have been an easily avoidable goal. He spent far too long on the ball and was poor in trying to deal with the City winger, who skipped past him with ease before setting up Silva.
GOAL! A horrible piece of defending gifts Sterling with the perfect chance to steal the ball from under the nose of Tosca, and it's one that he takes with aplomb. The winger dispossesses the centre-back inside the penalty area and skips past his attempted tackle before poking the ball over to Silva, who takes a quick touch before calmly slotting a shot past the outstretched foot of Nita and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
12'
City quickly win the ball back and embark on yet another impressive attacking move down the left channel. This time it's Silva who links up with Nolito before unleashing a curling shot from the edge of the Steaua penalty area, but it's poorly hit and sails several yards over the top of the crossbar.
10'
Nolito should have done better with his chance two minutes ago, but he has started the game well and looks dangerous over on the left. Once again, he cuts inside and plays a smart pass to Aguero, who then makes a quick run into the box, but just as Nita rushes out to deal with the danger, the Argentine is flagged offside.
8'
Penalty saved by F. Niţă!
SAVE! Aguero steps up and tries to give City an early lead with a swerving shot to the left, but Nita quickly gets down low and is easily able to push away the Argentine's poor penalty. The ball then rolls out to Nolito, who is in a great position to fire his follow-up into the back of the net, but he scuffs his effort on to the top of the crossbar.
That was a smart save by Nita, who did well to get down so quickly, but Aguero's effort was sent too near to the Steaua goalkeeper and made life far too easy for the Romanian with a strike that lacked the power needed to find the back of the net.
7'
PENALTY! A De Bruyne strike from the edge of the penalty area almost causes Nita problems, but Tosca is there to block the effort and send it out of play for City's first corner of the game. It's played quickly and sent to Sterling, who immediately weaves his way into the box before being clumsily tripped over by Muniru. The home fans aren't happy, but that was definitely a clear penalty.
6'
Nolito cuts inside from the left wing and beats two Steaua players before working the ball over to Silva. The number 21 plays a quick one-two with Aguero on the edge of the penalty area and then pokes the ball back to his newly-signed teammate, but his low shot from 20 yards out lacks the power needed to trouble Nita.
4'
P. Zabaleta gets yellow.
Boos ring around the stadium as City work their way into a dangerous position deep inside the Steaua half of the pitch. However, they carelessly lose possession once again and give the hosts the chance to counter quickly, but a swift attacking move is brought to a painful end by Zabaleta, who flies into Muniru and earns an early yellow card for a reckless challenge.
2'
Early chance for Stanciu! City patiently pass the ball around in the middle of the pitch before clumsily givinig away possession near to the halfway line. Stanciu is the first to pounce on the loose ball and immediately charges forward before unleashing a rocket of a shot from 30 yards out, but his long-range effort ends up swerving just wide of the near post after beating Caballero.
1'
And we're off! City get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Champions League play-off first leg between Steaua Bucharest and Manchester City at the Arena Nationala.
It was close, but Pep Guardiola’s first competitive clash in charge of Manchester City ended in a victory thanks to a narrow 2-1 win at home to Sunderland on the weekend. Now, the new boss’ attention has turned to the Champions League and two potentially tricky ties against Steaua Bucharest, the first of which sees City take on their Romanian opponents in a stadium in which the hosts have lost just once in their last 19 competitive games.
Guardiola’s 21-man Champions League squad isn’t big enough for the likes of Wilfried Bony, Samir Nasri, Eliaquim Mangala and, most notably, Yaya Toure, whose six-year spell at the club looks to be coming to an end. Summer signings Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan also haven’t travelled due to injury, but, bar that, the Spaniard has an almost entirely fit squad to choose from, and it’s one that sees Joe Hart once again sidelined in favour of Willy Caballero.
Like City, Steaua have been active in the transfer market during the summer, bringing eight new players into a side that have started the new Liga I season incredibly well. Three wins from three clashes has extended their competitive unbeaten run to 10 games, and it was that impressive form that helped them beat Sparta Prague 3-1 on aggregate in what were two hard fought third qualifying round ties against the Czech club.
Tonight’s game is City’s first ever appearance in the qualifying stage of the Champions League, but Guardiola has knowledge of this round from his early days at Barcelona. A 4-0 win against Wisla Krakow in his first competitive game in charge of the Catalan side was enough to send them through to the group stage, and he will be hoping that tonight’s clash proves to be just as smooth for his new club.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
Manchester City substitutes: Hart, Sagna, Clichy, Fernando, Delph, Navas, Iheanacho.
Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1): Caballero; Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Silva; Sterling, De Bruyne, Nolito; Aguero.
Laurentiu Reghecampf has decided to make six changes to the Steaua side that started the 2-0 win away to Botosani last weekend, with Marko Momcilovic, Sulley Muniru, Adrian Popa, Nicolae Stanciu, Jugurtha Hamroun and Bojan Golubovic coming into the starting line-up to replace Dan Popescu, Alexandru Bourceanu, Adnan Aganovic, Florin Tanase, Ovidiu Popescu and Alexandru Tudorie, respectively.
Meanwhile, City boss Pep Guardiola has made just two alterations to the team that beat Sunderland in their opening game of the new Premier League season, with Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy making way for Pablo Zabaleta and Nicolas Otamendi in defence.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: STEAUA BUCHAREST 0-2 MANCHESTER CITY
They've had a few problems when trying to deal with Popa down the right wing, but, overall, it's been a comfortable first half for City, who have continuously looked brilliant in front of goal and head into the half-time break with a well-deserved two-goal lead. Sterling and Nolito have been excellent down both flanks and Aguero did well to make up for his two penalty misses with a lovely strike for City's second goal. Another performance like that in the second period will surely send Guardiola's side into the group stage of the competition, even with a second leg still to play.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half.
FULL-TIME: STEAUA BUCHAREST 0-5 MANCHESTER CITY
It's safe to say that it was a comfortable evening for City, who ran riot from start to finish and are now all but guaranteed a place in the group stage of the Champions League. Awful defending from Steaua allowed them to enjoy plenty of joy in front of goal, and time and time again they took their opportunities with aplomb to inflict a serious amount of misery on their opponents.
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