Pep Guardiola celebrated managing Manchester City for the 100th time in the Champions League on Tuesday, but it was Bayer Leverkusen who left the stadium rejoicing after a stunning 2-0 victory. The Bundesliga side had faced travel delays upon arriving in England, yet they produced a disciplined and determined performance that caught City off guard on Guardiola’s milestone occasion.
The defeat was largely a result of Guardiola’s bold selection choices, as he made 10 changes to the squad that had lost to Newcastle on Saturday. The Spaniard acknowledged after the game that the rotation may have been excessive, stating that his intention was to involve all players during a long season, but the result highlighted the risks of such a strategy. Even key substitutes like Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Rayan Cherki were unable to turn the game around, as City’s performance was slow, disjointed, and lacking cohesion.
Leverkusen boss Kasper Hjulmand praised the quality of City’s squad despite the numerous changes, but he and his team took advantage of the opportunity. Alejandro Grimaldo opened the scoring with a rasping strike, and Patrik Schick added a towering header in the second half to seal the win. The Bundesliga visitors and their vocal supporters celebrated the unexpected triumph, hailing the team’s courage, determination, and collective character.
City now faces mounting pressure as they prepare to meet European heavyweights Real Madrid on December 10. Guardiola admitted that involving all players was an attempt to manage the demanding schedule, but it ultimately cost his side a significant home defeat. Meanwhile, Leverkusen’s win will serve as a major confidence boost, demonstrating that even heavily rotated squads can be overcome with tactical discipline and belief.
Alejandro Grimaldo, Patrik Schick, and the Leverkusen players enjoyed a memorable night on the pitch, with fans joining the celebrations to mark a historic European victory. Guardiola took full responsibility for City’s shortcomings, reflecting on missed opportunities and acknowledging that the result was a tough lesson in squad management at the highest level.
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