Josep Guardiola has accepted responsibility for Manchester City’s surprise home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad. The decision to field a weakened team backfired spectacularly, with Leverkusen winning 2-0 in Manchester. This result casts a shadow over City’s match against Real Madrid in two weeks’ time. Victory would have automatically moved City closer to the last 16, but with the Champions League places dropped to sixth, there is no longer any guarantee that the 2023 winners will progress smoothly to the next stage.
Guardiola’s underperforming side left the pitch to boos from their home fans. The Spanish coach admitted that the disappointing result was his fault. “It wasn’t the performance we expected. I take full responsibility. We missed something. We missed an unbelievable chance and we have to fight for the next game. I still think the players who started were exceptional players, but we missed something we needed at the highest level. We have to accept that. We have to accept that maybe it’s a big deal because if we win, it doesn’t matter. There were too many changes.”
In a humiliating night for Guardiola, City suffered their first home defeat in the Champions League group stage since 2018. He made the unusual decision to play second team and was rewarded with a below-average performance.
First-half goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick gave Leverkusen a surprising but deserved victory and were more than enough to spoil Guardiola’s 100th Champions League game as City manager.
City started the game brightly and dominated the ball, but lacked sharpness. Leverkusen then surprised their side with the first goal on the counter-attack, with Grimaldo firing past James Trafford and into the far corner after a deft assist from Christian Cofane.
Guardiola brought in star players such as Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku. However, things worsened after the interval when Leverkusen extended their advantage thanks to Schick.
Desperate situations call for drastic action, but bringing in Erling Haaland proved futile. The striker was denied by the outstanding Mark Frecken in a one-on-one situation, but fired a volley high over the crossbar.
The Norwegian faced the possibility of going two games without finding the back of the net for the first time this season. Guardiola remained motionless on the touchline with his hands in his pockets, looking increasingly perplexed.
This reaction was completely understandable. If a talented goalscorer like Haaland can’t provide relief, then no one else will be good enough.
Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjurmand praised his team, saying this was one of his greatest achievements as a manager.
“To take three points from City here in Manchester is something you don’t really expect. They are one of the best teams in Europe, so I’m really proud of the players. It was a night to remember.”
