Manchester City’s Champions League campaign suffered an unexpected blow as Pep Guardiola’s heavily rotated side fell 2-0 to a disciplined and determined Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad Stadium. On his 100th Champions League match in charge of City, Guardiola’s bold decision to make 10 changes backfired spectacularly handing the Bundesliga leaders a famous victory and ending City’s 23 match unbeaten home run in the group stage.
Despite City dominating early possession it was Leverkusen who struck the first decisive blow in the 23rd minute. A rapid counter initiated by Ibrahim Maza caused chaos in City’s makeshift defense allowing Christian Kofane to cushion the ball into the path of Alejandro Grimaldo. The Spaniard, in sensational form this season guided a precise low strike into the bottom corner leaving goalkeeper James Trafford with no chance. It marked Grimaldo’s eighth goal of the campaign already double last season tally.
City attempted to respond with Tijjani Reijnders and Oscar Bobb forcing crucial saves from Mark Flekken, but the premier league champions looked strangely blunt in the final third. Without Erling Haaland or Phil Foden from the start, City lacked on European nights.
Guardiola reached at halftime unleashing Foden, Jeremy Doku and Nico O’Reilly to inject energy and creativity. But the chances did little to shore up City’s vulnerability at the back. Just nine minutes after the restart, Leverkusen punished more slack defending when Maza delivered a superb in swinging cross that found Patrik Schick. The Czech forward outmuscled,Nathan Ake to nod a powerful header into the far corner doubling the visitors lead and stunning the Etihad into silence.
Haaland entered shortly after the hour mark and attempted to shift the momentum yet the Norwegian’s struggles in front of goal continued. Flekken twice denied him including one chance where Haaland’s mis control squandered 1.84 expected goals from 19 shots, but poor finishing and Leverkusen’s fearless defending preserved the German side’s lead.
For Guardiola, the defeat raised uncomfortable questions about depth and rhythm. The manager admitted post match that his rotation was excessive confessing “ it was too much. Maybe with the regular players they would have had more confidence.” With a congested December schedule looming including a crucial meeting with Real Madrid his decision making will be under closer scrutiny.
Leverkusen meanwhile showed steel and maturity far removed from the team that collapsed 7-2 to PSG earlier in the group stage. Coach Kasper Hjulmand praised his side’s character and victory keeps their qualification hopes firmly alive.
For City, this defeat may not derail their path to the knockout rounds, but it highlights a growing concern: even Europe’s most consistent machine can misfire when key components are removed. Guardiola’s centurion Champions League match is now one he will hope to quickly forget while Leverkusen leave Manchester with belief and momentum.
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