Pep Guardiola has shouldered full responsibility for Manchester City's surprising 2-0 home defeat against Bayer Leverkusen, a result he attributes directly to his decision to make ten changes to the starting lineup.
A Costly Rotation Policy
The City manager described his sweeping team alterations as a 'mistake' that ultimately proved costly. The defeat makes City's task of avoiding a playoff knockout game significantly more challenging in their Champions League campaign.
Despite introducing star players Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki from the bench in the second half, City could not mount a successful comeback. Bayer Leverkusen had already established control by scoring either side of half time.
'I take responsibility but I saw them and I like everyone to be involved,' Guardiola stated in his post-match analysis. 'When you are a football player and don't play for five, six, seven games it's tough but maybe it was too much.'
Alarming Lack of Confidence
Guardiola suggested the demanding fixture schedule influenced his selection thinking, but raised more concerning issues about his squad's mentality. He indicated that some of his players are currently lacking in self-belief when given their opportunity.
'When you are in a big team you have to show off. Maybe with the players who played regularly lately, maybe would have had confidence,' the manager reflected.
The tactical changes saw Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis and Rayan Ait-Nouri all substituted at half-time, with Omar Marmoush later withdrawn as Guardiola attempted to change the game's momentum.
'It's impossible to think that they are not good but it's true that when you come and have the guts to say I need everyone as part of the group,' Guardiola added, highlighting the delicate balance between squad rotation and maintaining performance levels.
Historical Significance and Future Implications
The 2-0 loss marks a significant moment for Manchester City, representing the first time they have lost a home Champions League group match since 2018.
Guardiola emphasised the necessity of rotating his squad given the physical demands of modern football, but conceded he may have overreached with his team selection.
'If you play quite often, you feel more comfortable. Somebody else thinks they don't want to do something wrong for the team but in that moment you have to be free and make that mistake,' he explained, describing the psychological challenge facing fringe players.
'Break the lines, make a movement, go close and do what you have to do. We have a lot of games together. We cannot play Erling every time for 95 minutes, we need fresh legs. But it was too much. It was the first time in my life I've done it and it was too much.'
The defeat leaves Manchester City with increased pressure in their Champions League group as they seek to secure a more favourable knockout stage position.
