Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has pointed the finger at his team's overly cautious and 'safe' playing style following a surprising 2-0 home defeat to Germany's Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League.
A Costly Rotation Strategy
The shocking loss at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, November 25, came after Guardiola made a bold decision to rest key players. The City boss made 10 changes to his starting line-up, leaving stars like Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva on the bench.
This strategic gamble backfired as the visitors capitalised on the disjointed performance. Alex Grimaldo put Leverkusen ahead in the first half, and Patrik Schick sealed the victory with a second goal after the break.
Guardiola's Frank Assessment
In a candid post-match analysis, Guardiola did not hold back in his criticism of the team's mentality. He felt his players were too afraid to take risks and create opportunities.
"We didn't try," Guardiola stated bluntly. "In football when you play on the green you have to try things and we didn't try. I think they played not to make mistakes, not to play to do something, that is so difficult. In football you have to play offensive and you have to try... they played to be safe."
He suggested that the players who started the match lacked the self-belief he has in them, stating, "I have a huge value in what they are as football players, and that maybe is higher than (they have) themselves."
Taking Full Responsibility and Looking Ahead
Guardiola openly acknowledged his own role in the defeat, admitting that the sheer number of changes might have been excessive. "I take full responsibility," he said, reflecting on a result that marked City's first Champions League group stage home loss since 2018.
Despite dominating possession, City struggled to create clear-cut chances. An early opportunity for Nathan Ake was saved, and defensive errors were punished by the efficient German side. The introduction of Haaland and other regulars in the second half failed to spark a comeback.
This European setback comes on the heels of a 2-1 Premier League defeat at Newcastle, leaving City with two consecutive losses. They now sit third in the domestic table, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
Looking forward, the team must regroup quickly for a crucial Premier League match against struggling Leeds. While midfielder Rodri will still be unavailable, Guardiola confirmed the Spaniard's return is imminent. The focus now shifts to securing progression to the Champions League knockout stages and closing the gap in the title race.
