Pep Guardiola shouldered full responsibility for Manchester City's surprising 2-0 defeat at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, confessing he made a critical error with his team selection.
A Surprising Team Selection Backfires
In a move that raised eyebrows across the football world, Guardiola made 10 changes to the starting line-up from the side that lost 2-1 at Newcastle just days before. This left star players including Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Gianluigi Donnarumma on the bench for the crucial European fixture at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 26 November 2025.
The heavily rotated team failed to deliver, appearing hesitant and lacking their usual attacking verve. Bayer Leverkusen capitalised on this uncertainty, with Alejandro Grimaldo finishing a swift counter-attack to open the scoring in the 23rd minute.
Half-Time Changes Fail to Spark Comeback
Recognising his mistake, Guardiola introduced Foden, Rayan Cherki, and Nico O'Reilly at half-time in an attempt to turn the tide. However, the German side doubled their lead just eight minutes after the restart through striker Patrik Schick, sealing a memorable victory for the visitors.
In his post-match analysis, Guardiola was unequivocal. "Too many changes," he stated. "I always believed in long seasons every two days, everyone has to be involved, but maybe it was too much. Seeing the result, they played not to make mistakes instead of playing to do what we had to do."
Guardiola's Candid Post-Match Assessment
The City manager expanded on his thinking, explaining he had wanted to keep the entire squad engaged during a demanding schedule but acknowledged the rotation had been excessive. "I take absolutely the responsibility," Guardiola said. "I felt from my instinct, from my gut, that the team is training good... but it was the first time in my life I've done it and it was too much I realise."
When questioned if the performance cast doubt on the depth of his squad, Guardiola defended his players, insisting, "It's impossible to think that they are not good. I need everybody as part of the group."
Opposing coach Kasper Hjulmand refused to believe his team had been underestimated, noting the common practice of rotation in the Champions League, though admitting "this time it was a bit more." He was also asked about the future of City loanee Claudio Echeverri, who was an unused substitute. Hjulmand expressed his satisfaction with the 19-year-old, stating, "We like Claudio, we are happy to have Claudio... We are trying to build a young player with great potential."
