Key facts
- Bayer Leverkusen have scored in their last five games in the Champions League, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of eight games from 16th September 2015 to 27th September 2016.
- This is the earliest goal that Man City have conceded at home in the Champions League since April 2024 vs Real Madrid (Rodrygo in 12th minute).
- Since the start of 2021-22, only Achraf Hakimi (16) has been involved in more goals in the Champions League among defenders than Alejandro Grimaldo (15 - six goals, nine assists).
Highlights
Analysis
Mark Flekken received the highest Flashscore rating of the match (8.8) to keep Man City at bay. It was his first European back-to-back clean sheet since a run of three between September and October 2022.
Match report
Surprisingly, Guardiola opted to ring the changes for the European encounter, making 10 alterations from the team that started Saturday’s disappointing 2-1 Premier League defeat to Newcastle United.
The much-changed City side made a positive start to proceedings, with Nathan Aké forcing Mark Flekken into making a smart reaction stop at the near post. However, Leverkusen quickly gathered their composure from that early scare and stunned their hosts with the opening goal midway through the first period.
The German outfit put together a slick move to work the ball from back to front, culminating with Christian Kofane neatly cushioning a cross down for Álex Grimaldo to drill a low strike past James Trafford.
Trailing for the first time in this season’s UCL, City threatened to restore parity in the closing stages of the half when Tijjani Reijnders saw his right-foot shot beaten away by Flekken.
Unimpressed by the events of the first period, Guardiola introduced Phil Foden, Jérémy Doku, and Nico O'Reilly at the break in a bid to inject impetus into a flat performance. However, the substitutes were still finding their bearings when Patrik Schick extended Leverkusen’s advantage within 10 minutes of the restart.
The determined forward got in front of Aké to glance a deft header beyond Trafford from Ibrahim Maza’s inswinging cross to score in back-to-back European games.
That soon prompted Guardiola to summon his star striker, Erling Haaland, who nearly made an immediate impact when he raced through on goal, only to see his effort smothered by the sprawling Flekken.
The Dutchman made another strong stop to keep out Rayan Cherki’s late free-kick and make sure of Leverkusen’s second win of the league phase. Kasper Hjulmand’s charges soar up to 13th spot and to within two points of sixth-placed City, who have lost their unbeaten record in the competition.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
Click here to see all the stats of the match.
Post-match comments
Pep Guardiola said he takes "full responsibility" after his team selection backfired against Bayer Leverkusen tonight.
"It was not the performance that we thought," he told TNT Sports. "I take full responsibility. Still, I think that the players who started were exceptional players. But we miss something that we need at the highest level. It was an incredible opportunity, and now we have to fight for the next games.
"They were good, we also did very good things, we had our chances, more than them. But it was half chances or blocks."
Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah to TNT Sports: "It's an unbelievable feeling (to beat City at the Etihad) to be honest because coming into tonight, we had a lot of senior players absent even around the dressing room, so the way the boys pulled through, everyone led tonight and that's what we needed.
"We needed a lot of character and a lot of fight and grit."