Joe Hart took his place on the bench again as Manchester City goalkeeper's stock continues to fall
- Joe Hart had started last 24 European ties going back to November 2013
- Hart looked on from the bench as City beat Steaua Bucharest 5-0
- England's No 1 could make a move to Everton or Sevilla this month
Wandering around the splendid Marriott Grand in Bucharest these past three days, Joe Hart has had plenty of time to contemplate his future.
Clearly no longer No 1 at Manchester City, Hart's demotion under new coach Pep Guardiola has been as surprising as it is sudden.
Concerns among the new regime over the England goalkeeper's ball skills were no secret, but no-one expected Hart's stock to plummet as quickly this over the course of two games and four days.
Joe Hart can not hide his disappointment as he make his way to the bench once again
The Manchester City goalkeeper (centre) watches as his side won comfortably 5-0
Contrasting emotions as a delighted John Stones (left) tries to cheer up a dejected Hart
The 29-year-old had started City's last 24 European ties going back to November 2013, and has saved their bacon on more than a few occasions.
On Tuesday night he walked into the Arena Nacionala several yards ahead of Guardiola with headphones clamped to his ears and a stony expression on his face. Hart knew he would be on the bench again amid growing speculation that he could join Everton or even Sevilla before the end of the transfer window.
At least he made it out here to Bucharest. Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony and Eliaquim Mangala are not even in City's Champions League squad for this playoff round.
Hart had been in goal for City on European nights dating all the way back to November 2013
Yaya Toure is, but Guardiola decided that a midfielder who earns £250,000-a-week was better off at home training in Manchester than helping his team to reach the group stage.
One thing has been made clear in the short time since the Spaniard took over; a coach synonymous with beautiful football also has a brutal side when it comes to getting what he wants out of his squad.
It was a similar story when Guardiola took over Barcelona's first-team in 2008. Big names like Ronaldinho, Deco and Gianluca Zambrotta were quickly shown the door without a backwards glance.
Ronaldinho suffered the same treatment when Pep Guardiola took over at Barcelona in 2008
Guardiola started off that season in the Champions League play-off round as well, recording a 4-0 win at home to Wisla Krakow that was just as emphatic as the comfortable victory City enjoyed in Bucharest last night.
The season ended with victory over Manchester United in the Champions League final in Rome, but no-one at City will be getting too excited just yet.
After that less than convincing win over Sunderland on the opening day of the Premier League, it was difficult to judge their early progress under Guardiola here.
Former European champions Steaua are no longer what you would call a powerhouse, but they are top of the Romanian League and unbeaten in six games going into this tie. They have players like Nicolae Stanciu and Adrian Popa who deserve respect, albeit a rather hapless defence.
Had Sergio Aguero converted even one of the two penalty chances he squandered in the first half, it could have been ugly for the hosts.
As it was, the first goal of the Argentine's hat-trick before half-time merely killed the tie off instead of pointing City towards double figures.
Sergio Aguero celebrates after he struck his second goal of the evening
Guardiola will have been happy with his team's passing game. They kept the ball well and moved it quickly. Aguero's two goals were exquisite team efforts.
Raheem Sterling continues to look revitalised, and David Silva is playing with a zest that seemed to desert him for much of last season.
And, yes, Willy Caballero has done nothing to embarrass his manager over the decision to play him instead of Hart.
The Argentine's distribution may not be faultless, but he has clearly bought into what Guardiola wants from his goalkeepers.
Caballero also made a key save from Jugurtha Hamroun on the half hour mark when City were still only one goal ahead.
Hart would have appreciated that save, if nothing else about this trip to Romania.
It looks as though City are moving on under Guardiola's ruthless leadership, and very soon it looks like Hart will be too.
The Argentine could have had a early brace but missed twice from the penalty spot
Willy Caballero (right) has not put a foot wrong and is buying into the Guardiola philosophy
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