Manchester City vs. Steaua Bucharest: Score, Reaction to Champions League, Leg 2

Manchester City booked their place in the UEFA Champions League group stage after beating Steaua Bucharest 1-0 in the second leg of their qualification playoff at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

Fabian Delph got the goal to confirm a 6-0 aggregate win on a night when manager Pep Guardiola rested several key players, as City had scored five during the first leg in Romania.

Guardiola handed starts to outcast goalkeeper Joe Hart and midfielder Yaya Toure, while Kelechi Iheanacho came in for Sergio Aguero up top, per the club's official site:

Hart was also handed the captain's armband in what could be his club farewell, with BBC Sport's David Ornstein reporting that the Citizens still expect the England No. 1 to move during the remainder of the transfer window.

The tournament's social media account confirmed the starting XI for the visitors:

There were some notable omissions from the away team's lineup, with attackers Nicolae Stanciu and Adrian Popa on the bench. It was a clear sign that the Bucharest side had given up the tie following the demolition in the first leg.

Naturally, a lot of focus was on Hart, and City supporters were quick to show their appreciation for the stopper who seems destined for an exit, per Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News:

Hart's City career may be about to end, but one player whose tenure with the Citizens is just beginning is 19-year-old full-back Pablo Maffeo. The Spaniard was filling in for Pablo Zabaleta and the injured Bacary Sagna, and he looked composed early on.

Yet it was another City defender, Aleksandar Kolarov, who created the first chance. He teed up Iheanacho, who rifled in a fierce shot that was well-saved.

One of City's other forgotten men, Toure, was probing well in the final third. He also went close after whipping in a trademark free-kick that went narrowly wide.

Considering the lopsided aggregate score, it was somewhat understandable to see a rather stale beginning to the match. However, Steaua's own reticence to pursue a consolation goal or two also explained the malaise.

Brennan explained the thinking behind such a cautious approach from a team with nothing to lose:

City may have been struggling to find space, but they were still moving the ball quickly in midfield and engaging in the neat one- and two-touch passing Guardiola loves.

A key tactical facet of the new manager's approach has been to rely on inverted full-backs to create a numbers advantage in the middle. Simon Hart of UEFA's official site showed how even the club's younger players are up to speed with what Guardiola wants:

City still couldn't break Steaua down, though, despite their forward-thinking intentions, so the first half lurched to a goalless stalemate at the break.

Guardiola's men were altogether brighter after the restart, and Delph soon forced a save when he timed his run well to meet a smart reverse pass from Iheanacho.

Moments later, the former Aston Villa man scored when he headed home a Jesus Navas cross following neat combination passing between Toure and Iheanacho:

With the aggregate lead now six, Guardiola took the opportunity to introduce teenage left-back Angelino for Nolito, while also switching out John Stones for 18-year-old central defender Tosin Adarabioyo. It was a welcome sight to see the manager give some of City's talented fledglings from the club's excellent academy chances to impress.

Hart then drew the biggest cheers of the night when he produced a double save to protect the lead with 20 minutes left, with substitute Stanciu providing an immediate threat:

The goalkeeper had already been serenaded by a standing ovation from the home supporters, per Brennan:

However, there was a scare at the other end when Iheanacho pulled up sharply after trying to chase down a heavily hit through ball. The striker was in obvious and considerable discomfort.

Fernandinho entered the fray in his place and helped City see out a game still played at a sluggish pace in its closing stages.

Iheanacho's loss will be felt since he's the primary cover for main striker Aguero. Yet that's the only down note from what was excellent work from City over the two legs.

Afterwards, Hart was asked about his performance and gave a sarcastic retort when presented with one statistic, per Squawka News:

He also took a moment to reflect on his relationship with the City fans:

As for Guardiola, he praised Hart but also defended his apparent decision to make a change between the sticks this season, per the club:

Looking back on the game, the Spaniard focused his comments on Steaua's negative tactics:

While there's obviously still work to be done, his players have quickly adapted to what Guardiola wants. His attacking philosophy and City's legion of forward talent have to make the Manchester club a team to fear in the Champions League this season.