Manchester City vs Steaua Bucuresti - Guardiola insists he has a good relationship with Hart

Posted Wednesday, August 24, 2016 by PA

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola maintains he has a good relationship with axed goalkeeper Joe Hart.

The England number one's future at the Etihad Stadium is uncertain after losing his place in the City side and with the club apparently closing in on Barcelona's Claudio Bravo.

The pair were seen in deep conversation as City trained in front of media ahead of Wednesday's Champions League play-off second leg against Steaua Bucharest.

Because Hart then walked off the training pitch immediately after the pair spoke, footage has given the impression to some they may not get on. But that is misleading as Hart and his fellow goalkeepers were due to train on a separate pitch further away from cameras and Guardiola has insisted there was nothing untoward in their discussions.

Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola said: "I have an excellent relationship with Joe. We were clear, him with me and I with him, and we spoke about our football."

Guardiola even insists he has not ruled out the possibility of Hart featuring against Steaua, a game which City will begin with a 5-0 aggregate lead.

"He has a chance to play tomorrow," said Guardiola. "I have said many times, he is a player of us."

The ruthless decisions to drop Hart and another club linchpin, Yaya Toure, has detracted a little from City's winning start to the season. Guardiola has overseen victories in his opening three games and progress to the Champions League stage should be confirmed on Wednesday, with last week's convincing success in Romania leaving the second leg little more than a formality.

Guardiola is not looking at the game that way, however, and is demanding maximum commitment from his players.

He said: "I will make some rotations. I don't know how many, they all deserve to play and I am so confident about all the players.

"But I have a lot of respect for the opponent and I know what happens in football. Everybody knows it's not done until it's done.

"I have seen many times in the Champions League - at half-time an experienced team like AC Milan were 3-0 ahead and the final was done, but Liverpool won the Champions League final.

"I don't like to play the game when people say it's easy and it's finished. No, a lot can happen."

Steaua Bucharest coach Laurentiu Reghecampf claims his team would need 500million euros to compete with Manchester City.

Reghecampf is already resigned to defeat in his side's Champions League play-off against City.

With the tie gone, and Steaua preparing for the consolation of Europa League football, Reghecampf intends to make a number of changes to his side at the Etihad Stadium.

Salvaging pride with a respectable performance is his chief aim because he feels his side are a long way short of the level played by the likes of City.

Asked at his pre-match press conference what Steaua and Romanian football needed to compete, Reghecampf said bluntly: "Five-hundred million euros!"

Before he had even been asked a question, Reghecampf began by saying his team were out.

"I don't think there is a question over who will qualify," he said. "Unfortunately we lost the game in Bucharest heavily.

"We will give a chance to some players who have not played much lately and we will try to finish this play-off in the Champions League with a good performance, because I think the players need that.

"We will try to play football. I don't think at this level that not trying to play can be helpful, especially when you play against teams such as this one."