The final round of UEFA Champions League playoffs, on its final day, threw little surprises apart from four-time winners Ajax bowing out. Manchester City, who already had one foot in the next round after hammering Steaua Bucharest 5-0 away from home, did enough to see the tie through. German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach also entered the group stages in style. Croatia's Dynamo Zagreb and Denmark's FC Copenhagen also booked spots in the final draw.
Is it the end of the road for the 'Hart' of City?
Joe Hart was given a rousing reception by the Manchester City fans, who stood behind their goalkeeper after all the speculation about his future at the club. The Sky Blues could breathe easy after winning the first leg 5-0 at Steaua Bucharest. Pep Guardiola had rested Sergio Aguero and David Silva, who sat on the bench, but team resumed normal service from the weekend: Neat interplay, players making intelligent runs and posing questions to the opposition backline.
Fabian Delph scored only his third goal after making the switch to City from Aston Villa, connecting with a Jesus Navas cross. The win was overshadowed by speculations over Joe Hart's future.
Ajax's shock exit
There has been a power shift in Netherlands over the last two years. PSV Eindhoven have won the title for the last two seasons. Ajax were in the contest after the first leg, but conceded an away goal to FC Rostov.
The Russians were in cruise control as Aleksandr Yerokhin, Christian Noboa and Dmitry Poloz registered their names on the scoresheet. Davy Klaassen got one back for Ajax from the spot, but the damage was already done. To make matters worse for Ajax, their goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen announced later in the evening that he was making a switch to Barcelona.
Borussia Monchengladbach run riot
German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach had a 3-1 lead going into their second leg against Swiss side BSC Young Boys. While Eden Hazard is still trying to find some of the form that made him one of the most coveted players in the world, brother Thorgan had no such worries and netted a hat-trick.
In a 20-minute burst in the second half, there were four goals that were scored. Yoric Raven got one back for Young Boys through a terrific strike from his left foot, but the damage was already done. Raffael slammed a his hat-trick while Hazard completed his hat-trick eight minutes from time.
The Results:
Manchester City 1 (Fabian Delph) beat Steaua Bucharest 0. Manchester City progress after winning the tie 6-0 on aggregate.
FC Rostov 4 (Sardar Azmoun, Aleksandr Yerokhin, Christian Noboa, Dmitry Poloz) beat Ajax 1 (Davy Klaassen). FC Rostov progress after winning the tie 5-2 on aggregate.
Borussia Monchengladbach 6 (Thorgan Hazard x 3, Raffael x 3) beat BSC Young Boys 1 (Yoric Raven). Borussia Monchengladbach progress after winning the tie 9-2 on aggregate.
Red Bull Salzburg 1 lost to Dinamo Zagreb 2 (El Arabi Hilal Soudani, Valentino Lazaro). Dinamo Zagreb progress after winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate.
Apoel Nicosia 1 (Pieros Sotiriou) drew with FC Copenhagen (Frederico Santander) 1. FC Copenhagen progress after winning the tie 2-1 on aggregate.
