UEFA Champions League: Guardiola gamble backfires in Man City loss to Leverkusen

Pep Guardiola took the blame after his selection gamble backfired as understrength Manchester City suffered a shock 20 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday Guardiola surprisingly rested the majority of his stars at the Etihad Stadium with Erling Haaland Ruben Dias Bernardo Silva and Gianluigi Donnarumma all left out of the starting lineupLeverkusen took advantage of a dismal display from Guardiolas understudies as Alex Grimaldo put the Germans ahead in the first half before Patrik Schick netted after the break to spark grumbles of discontent from City fans at the final whistle For the first time in 24 games dating back to 2018 City were beaten at home in the Champions League prior to the knockout stage It was a second consecutive loss for City after Saturdays 21 defeat at Newcastle in the Premier LeagueI take full responsibility still I think the players that started were exceptional players but we missed something needed at the highest level Guardiola said I have to accept it It belongs to us If we win it wouldnt be a problem so I have to accept it that maybe its a lot of changes I think playing every two or three days we need to make changes but seeing the result maybe its too much City have already lost four times in the Premier League this term to leave them seven points behind leaders Arsenal While their first Champions League defeat in five matches shouldnt be fatal to their bid to reach the last 16 Guardiola will have absorbed the lesson that his reserves arent quite as formidable as he would hopeBayer Leverkusens Czech forward Patrik Schick C celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the UEFA Champions League leaguestage football match between Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester north west England PicAFPGuardiolas 100th Champions League match as City boss was a damp squib in stark contrast to so many of the previous 99 which includes 62 wins and the clubs maiden European crown in 2023 Guardiola said he felt embarrassed and ashamed after his onpitch confrontation with a cameraman in the aftermath of the controversial defeat at Newcastle His players should be equally chastened after this lacklustre surrender Guardiola had named the same team for the previous three games but that unusually consistent selection policy went out the window with 10 changes The move may have been influenced by the knowledge City face two games a week for most of December a hectic run that includes a trip to Real Madrid in their next Champions League fixture We had more chances than them but they were halfchances We now have to fight for the next games Guardiola saidCity frailtiesNathan Ake almost put City ahead after just five minutes when the defender took Oscar Bobbs pass from a halfcleared corner and smashed a closerange effort that forced a superb tip over from Mark Flekken But although City monopolised possession they lacked a killer instinct and paid for a sloppy piece of defending in the 23rd minute Malik Tillman and Christian Kofane were allowed time and space to tee up Grimaldo who finished with a flourish as he lashed a low drive past James Trafford from 12 yards It was the first time City had trailed in the Champions League this season and the response was far from emphaticOmar Marmoush struggled to fill in for Haaland although Tijjani Reijnders should have hauled City level on the stroke of halftime when he straight at Flekken after bursting into the area Guardiola responded by sending on Jeremy Doku Phil Foden and Nico OReilly at the interval But Citys frailties in their revamped defence were exposed again in the 54th minute Ibrahim Maza curled an inswinging cross into the sixyard box and Schick muscled his way across the culpable Ake to glance a header into the far corner Guardiola finally introduced Haaland but after missing several big chances at Newcastle he drew a blank again fluffing his lines with a poor touch that allowed Flekken to save when he should have hit the targetThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever