Manchester City take their place in the group stages of the Champions League 6-0 on aggregate after coasting to a 1-0 home success over Steaua Bucharest of Romania.
The UEFA stats tell us that Steaua Bucharest have played in England nine times and have yet to win. Bearing in mind they are trailing 5-0 from the first leg of this Champions League qualifying tie to say they were playing for pride is probably an understatement.
Certainly from the way they played deep the Romanian's certainly had no intentions of going all out for a shock result, preferring damage limitation instead. This meant that City had plenty of possession but the few chances created were comfortably saved by keeper Valentin Cojocaru.
Even allowing for past inconsistencies of City in this competition progression was always a formality with the main talking point being the first appearance of the season for keeper Joe Hart who looks set to leave the club after being pushed down the pecking order by new boss Pep Guardiola.
The fans made their feeling clear about the Hart situation by cheering his name as it was read out and bursting into applause every time he touched the ball during the game.
This culminated with the fans chanting "Stand up if you love Joe Hart" ending with huge applause in the second half.
Only three players started for the home side who appeared in Romania last week with Spanish youngster Pablo Maffeo making his competitive debut.
It was more interesting watching Guardiola prowling his technical area looking frustrated with some of the play and constantly pointing his finger and gesticulating at his players. At one stage as City prepared to take a corner he called John Stones over and had a heated debate with his centre back as to what should be happening.
A goal did arrive on 56 minutes when Fabian Delph headed home a Jesus Navas cross but again we saw the City boss have a discussion with Stone as he was substituted moments later.
The only blot on the game for City was Kelechi Iheanacho being stretchered off injured with 14 minutes remaining.
City may have progressed serenely through to the business end of the Champions League but this match bore little resemblance to the intensity of European games to come as Guardiola will only be too well aware.
Full Time
Man City: 1 (Delph 56)
Steaua Bucharest: 0
City progress 6-0 on aggregate
