AfriPulse
Pep Guardiola’s 100th Champions League match at the helm of Manchester City unravelled into a high-risk gamble gone wrong, as a heavily rotated squad suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen .
Ten changes from the weekend loss at Newcastle produced a flat, disconnected performance that invited pressure and delivered back-to-back setbacks at a critical point in the season.
City started with early intent, but Nathan Ake’s close-range effort, parried sharply by Mark Flekken, proved to be the only moment of real threat before Leverkusen asserted control in transition.
The visitors struck first when Christian Kofane broke away and squared for captain Alejandro Grimaldo, who rifled a first-time finish past Stefan Ortega.
Bayer Leverkusen stun Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium – Getty image
Leverkusen punish City’s disjointed display
City’s fringe attackers struggled to impose any structure, with Tijjani Reijnders weaving through midfield but unable to beat Flekken from distance.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, continued to exploit space on the break and doubled their advantage nine minutes into the second half. Patrik Schick rose highest to glance home a precise cross from Ibrahim Maza, leaving the home crowd stunned.
Guardiola turned to his senior firepower on the hour mark, introducing Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki.
Haaland forced Flekken into a smothering save and later hooked a chance over the bar, but the Bundesliga side held firm.
City’s long-standing run of 13 consecutive home wins against German opposition in Europe evaporated with little resistance.
City face pressure in league phase
The defeat drops City to sixth in the Champions League league-phase standings with three games left.
Depending on other results, they could fall out of the top eight and slip into the playoff bracket, an avoidable risk created by squad rotation that simply didn’t deliver.
Leverkusen efficient and resurgent
Leverkusen’s turnaround under Kasper Hjulmand continues to gather momentum. After losing Xabi Alonso and several key players in the summer, and sacking Erik ten Hag after two league games, the German side have stabilised impressively.
Hjulmand’s team were brutally efficient at the Etihad, scoring from both shots on target while Flekken delivered seven crucial saves to secure the clean sheet.
This result lifts Leverkusen to 13th in the league-phase table and firmly into contention for the playoff round, an outcome few predicted after their chaotic start to the season.
Source: Gistreel | Read the Full Story…
