Pep Guardiola's decision to rest his star players proved costly as a second-string Manchester City suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday evening at the Etihad Stadium.
Surprising Team Selection Backfires
In a move that raised eyebrows, Guardiola made ten changes to his starting lineup, leaving key players including Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and Gianluigi Donnarumma on the bench. This marked a dramatic shift from his recent policy of naming the same team for three consecutive matches.
The understrength City side struggled to find their rhythm against a disciplined German outfit. Despite controlling possession for large periods, the home team lacked cutting edge in the final third, with Omar Marmoush particularly struggling to fill the void left by the absent Haaland.
Leverkusen Capitalize on City's Weakness
Bayer Leverkusen took full advantage of City's experimental lineup, with Alex Grimaldo opening the scoring in the 23rd minute. The Spanish defender was given too much time and space before lashing a low drive past James Trafford from 12 yards out.
Guardiola's frustration was visible on the touchline, particularly with Abdukodir Khusanov's sluggish attempt to close down Grimaldo in the build-up to the goal. This marked the first time City had trailed in the Champions League this season.
City had opportunities to equalize before halftime, with Tijjani Reijnders shooting straight at goalkeeper Mark Flekken when through on goal, but the response lacked conviction.
Second Half Changes Fail to Spark Revival
Guardiola responded at halftime by introducing Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, and Nico O'Reilly, but the changes failed to turn the tide. Instead, Patrik Schick extended Leverkusen's lead in the 54th minute, muscling past Nathan Ake to glance a header into the far corner.
The introduction of Erling Haaland in the second half offered little salvation. The Norwegian striker, who had missed several chances in City's previous defeat at Newcastle, failed to test Flekken when presented with a good opportunity, compounding City's miserable evening.
The defeat marks City's first home loss in the Champions League group stage since 2018, ending a remarkable 24-match unbeaten run at the Etihad in the competition's early stages. It also represents City's second consecutive defeat following their 2-1 loss at Newcastle in the Premier League last Saturday.
Broader Implications for City's Season
This Champions League setback comes during a challenging period for the English champions, who have already suffered four Premier League defeats this season and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points.
While the European defeat shouldn't prove fatal to City's chances of reaching the knockout stages, it served as a stark reminder that Guardiola's squad depth might not be as formidable as previously thought. The manager's 100th Champions League match in charge of City turned into a disappointing affair, contrasting sharply with many of his previous 99 games, which included 62 victories and the club's first European title in 2023.
City fans expressed their discontent at the final whistle, leaving Guardiola with much to ponder as his team prepares for a hectic December schedule that includes a crucial trip to Real Madrid in their next Champions League fixture.
