Pep Guardiola took responsibility for Manchester City’s surprising 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, admitting his decision to make ten changes to the starting lineup may have been excessive. Goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick sealed the win for the Bundesliga side, marking City’s first home loss in a Champions League group stage match since 2018.
The Manchester City manager suggested he had been “too nice” with fringe players, aiming to involve everyone in the squad. While his intentions were to maintain morale and match fitness, the result highlighted the risks of making too many changes at once.
Guardiola acknowledged the lesson from the defeat, emphasizing that balancing squad rotation with competitive intensity remains a delicate task. “Always I like to be too nice and involve everyone. It didn’t work, and we have to accept it,” he explained.
Too Many Changes, Too Much Risk
The decision to rotate almost the entire squad backfired as Manchester City struggled to find cohesion and defensive stability. Guardiola admitted that the changes were “too much,” and perhaps he should have been stricter in keeping regular starters on the pitch.
“Maybe it was too much, seeing the result. I take responsibility,” Guardiola said. He reflected on the challenges of keeping non-regular players engaged while maintaining performance levels in high-stakes European games.
The defeat underlined the fine line between squad rotation and team performance. Guardiola’s intent to provide opportunities to all players inadvertently disrupted the balance of his side, leaving City vulnerable against a well-prepared Leverkusen team.
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Pressure Ahead in Champions League
The loss adds pressure to Manchester City as they prepare for a key away fixture against Real Madrid next month. Guardiola’s side will also face Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray in the remaining group-stage matches, aiming to secure a top-eight finish.
City must avoid a repeat of last season’s early playoff struggle, where they finished 22nd and were forced into a knockout tie against Real Madrid. Every remaining match now carries greater significance for the team’s European campaign.
Guardiola urged focus on the next steps, insisting the squad must reset and prepare mentally for the challenges ahead. “We still have three games, and we will see what happens. Now it’s “Don’t talk much, clean our heads, and go to Leeds,” he said.
Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
The defeat serves as a reminder that even elite squads are vulnerable when rotation is mishandled. Guardiola’s willingness to involve fringe players reflects his leadership style, but it also highlights the importance of tactical consistency.
City now faces the task of restoring confidence while managing squad rotation carefully in the run-up to crucial fixtures. Learning from mistakes is crucial to maintain momentum both domestically and in Europe.
Despite the setback, Guardiola remains optimistic, stressing that recovery and preparation will determine City’s trajectory in the Champions League. The manager’s candid acknowledgment of his error could help foster unity and focus ahead of the next fixtures. Follow the latest football news only at footballcoasters.co.uk.