When and where?
The match will be in Romania’s national stadium, the Arena Nationala, which has a capacity of over 55,000. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:45 BST on Tuesday 16 August.
Competitive head to head record
Tuesday’s meeting will be the first between the two sides. However, Steaua have played 18 games against English sides, winning five and losing nine.
City’s only previous Romanian opponents were Costel Pantilimon’s Timisoara in the 2010/11 Europa League. The Blues won 3-0 on aggregate.
Quotes
Guardiola [on Otamendi]: “Hopefully he can play. Steaua Bucharest play with long balls and of course Nico is so important.”
Txiki Begiristain: “Steaua are trying to get their European level back. This kind of game is always difficult.”
Steaua Bucharest owner Gigi Becali: “As time goes by, I gain confidence. We’re not giving up, we won’t be killed. We have killers in the team. We’ll destroy City.”
More info...
- Even though City have never faced the Romanian side before, several of the current squad have. Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, Jesus Navas and Kevin De Bruyne have all played against Steaua during spells at previous clubs.
- This will be Pep’s first Champions League tie as City boss. The Spaniard led Barcelona to two successes during his four year stay as coach at the Nou Camp.
- This will be City’s first ever Champions League play-off tie.
- Steaua have featured at this stage twice before; beating Legia Warsaw in 2013/14 but succumbing to Ludogorets Razgrad in 2014/15.
- Steaua manager Laurentiu Reghecampf is currently in his second stint in charge of the club; winning the league title twice during his first reign
