With a 5-0 lead from the first leg, the biggest point of interest in the Manchester City vs Steaua Bucharest Champions League playoff on Wednesday is if Joe Hart and Yaya Toure will finally feature under Pep Guardiola. Both of these "stars" have been left out of so far, leading to their futures at the club being questioned, but with the tie as good as done, the benchwarmers could get a look in.
Guardiola has been pretty ruthless in axing some of the first-teamers since taking over at the Etihad, and with the results going his way so far, there is no reason to question the manager's decision. Guardiola, however, did admit that the likes of Hart, who could end up being third-choice goalkeeper when the expected transfer of Claudio Bravo is completed, and Toure could play in the second leg of the Champions League playoff.
"Joe Hart and Yaya Toure have a chance to play," Guardiola told reporters. "We had 28 players in the training session. It's difficult for me to leave players who deserve to play out. We've played tough games in the last week. I will make some rotations with the players."
Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan remain on the sidelines, but with City in the position that they are in, they can cope with the absences, even if Guardiola was quick to warn against complacency.
"I have lot of respect for the opponents and I know what can happen in football," the Spaniard added. "Everybody knows nothing is done until it is done. We are so happy with 5-0 but we have to take the opponent seriously and try to win the game.
"I said to the players: 'I am sorry but we are not already in the Champions League. We could play and receive a red card inside ten minutes... then a penalty... then another red card ten minutes later'
"We have a huge advantage but we will not play thinking it's done."
It also depends on what Steaua Bucharest think. If they come to the Etihad believing they can still turn this Champions League playoff tie into a contest, there might be hope of a good game; if they believe the result is already done, though, this could end up being another one-sided encounter. Bucharest manager Laurentiu Reghecampf looked pretty resigned to the outcome.
"I don't think there is a question of who will qualify," Refhecampf said. "Unfortunately, we lost the game in Bucharest, but (the second leg) will be a chance for players who haven't played much lately for us.
"We will try to finish the Champions League campaign with a good performance because I think the players need this. We know what to expect and certainly they will change and rotate many players."
Where to Watch Live
Manchester City vs Steaua Bucharest is scheduled for a 7.45 p.m. BST (12.15 a.m. IST next day) start. Live Streaming and TV options are below.
India: TV: Ten 2 and Ten 1 HD. Live Streaming: Ten Sports Live.
UK: TV: BT Sport 2. Live Streaming: Watch BT Sport.
USA: TV: Fox Sports 1. Live Streaming: Foxsoccer2go.
Middle East, North Africa, Spain, Thailand and Australia: Bein Sports. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.
