Pep Guardiola's decision to make 10 changes backfired spectacularly as Manchester City crashed to a humiliating 2-0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League at the Etihad. Goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick handed the Bundesliga side a shock victory, ending City's unbeaten home record in the group stages since 2018.
Guardiola rested key players including Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Gianluigi Donnarumma, a gamble that left City lacking attacking threat despite dominating possession. Leverkusen took the lead on the counter-attack when Grimaldo fired home after Christian Kofane's lay-off. Tiijani Reijnders missed a golden chance to equalise before half-time, shooting straight at goalkeeper Mark Flecken.
Guardiola introduced Foden and Jeremy Doku after the break, but Leverkusen doubled their lead through Schick's powerful header from Ibrahim Maze's cross. Savinho wasted a chance to pull one back, and even Haaland, introduced late on, failed to beat Flecken when one-on-one and smashed a volley over the bar.
The defeat heaped more pressure on Guardiola, who had already criticised himself for behaving 'like an idiot' towards a camera operator after last weekend's loss at Newcastle. The Spaniard now faces questions over his team selection, with City's next match against Leeds United looming.
