Guardiola’s Historic Milestone Overshadowed by Leverkusen Defeat

Pep Guardiola has now lost 20 of his 100 matches at the helm of Manchester City in the Champions League.

On Tuesday, Guardiola marked his 100th Champions League game with Manchester City, but it was Bayer Leverkusen and their supporters who rejoiced at the final whistle after a remarkable 2-0 victory that left Guardiola in disbelief on this milestone occasion.

Prior to the match, Guardiola expressed that he and City had experienced “more disappointments than good moments” in Europe’s premier club competition, and this latest defeat was yet another disappointment.

The defeat stemmed from Guardiola’s own strategy; he made ten changes to the starting lineup that had lost to Newcastle on Saturday, a gamble that ultimately did not pay off.

“I have to accept it,” Guardiola stated to TNT Sport when addressing the criticism regarding the number of changes. “If we had won, it wouldn’t have been an issue, so I must acknowledge that perhaps I made too many changes.”

He continued, “I’ve always believed in a long season and the need for everybody to be involved, but perhaps it was excessive. The players were too cautious, focusing on avoiding mistakes instead of executing our game plan. We did not perform as expected. I take full responsibility. We missed an incredible opportunity and now we must fight in our upcoming matches.”

Leverkusen’s manager, Kasper Hjulmand, commented on City’s lineup: “All teams are facing a tight schedule. Typically, a Champions League team rotates around 5.5 players, but regardless of who they field, it’s always a quality side.”

A luggage issue in Germany caused the Leverkusen team’s plane to return to the departure gate Monday afternoon, delaying their arrival in Manchester.

The next day, City’s extensive alterations left a senior member of Bayer Leverkusen’s staff taken aback, stating, “We prepared thoroughly for this match but were not expecting that particular lineup.”

Another staff member noted the absence of key players, including defender Edmond Tapsoba and former Real Madrid player Lucas Vazquez, as indicators of potential struggles, mentioning that six players from the under-19 squad were on the bench.

City’s star players, including Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Rayan Cherki, were all substitutes in the first half, and despite being called upon later, they could not turn the tide in the second half. Omar Marmoush missed a critical opportunity in front of goal, unable to ignite a home crowd that mirrored the team’s performance. Meanwhile, Savinho and Oscar Bobb were largely uninvolved in the match.

City’s performance was lethargic and disjointed due to the numerous changes, which could prove detrimental in the competition moving forward. This loss means they will head into their match against European giants Real Madrid on December 10 under significant pressure.

“They attempted to perform, but at a big club, you must showcase your abilities,” Guardiola noted. “Everyone— including those who came off the bench— were in the same situation. Every shot was blocked, and there were numerous slips. Perhaps with the players who have regularly featured recently, we would have exhibited more confidence. I tend to be generous and involve everyone because I anticipate an intense schedule following the international break, but no human can endure that.”

Guardiola became only the third manager to lead an English team in 100 or more Champions League matches, following in the footsteps of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. However, this landmark was marred by the night’s events.

“There will be questions about why a stronger team wasn’t fielded,” remarked former City midfielder Michael Brown on BBC Radio 5 Live. “Winning the game should have come first, then making changes.”

The unexpected lineup provided Leverkusen with a tremendous boost, instilling them with confidence, as players looked at the bench and realized they had a great chance to succeed.

Despite the changes, City’s performance was underwhelming given the quality of the squad.

Leverkusen’s captain Alejandro Grimaldo netted a spectacular strike while Patrik Schick added a towering header in the second half to seal the surprise victory.

Guided by their drummer, the traveling supporters celebrated this memorable triumph alongside their players at the end of the match.

“We are thrilled with this win and the character we demonstrated,” said Hjulmand. “This is a night to remember, fueling our development. We played with courage and composure, and although we needed some luck and a great performance from our goalkeeper at times, securing three points here at City is beyond expectations.”

Former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah expressed the extraordinary feeling of the victory, especially in light of their missing senior players. “The way the team pulled together demonstrated the necessary character, determination, and grit we needed.”