Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has taken full responsibility for his team’s 2–0 Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, admitting that his sweeping squad rotation contributed to the disappointing result on Tuesday in Manchester.
Guardiola made 10 changes to the side that lost 2–1 to Newcastle United over the weekend, resting key players including Erling Haaland, who leads City’s league scoring chart with 14 goals this season.
The reshuffled lineup struggled for fluency at the Etihad Stadium, allowing Leverkusen to end City’s 23-game unbeaten home run in Champions League group or league-stage matches.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola said his selection decision was influenced by a congested schedule and the need to manage fatigue among his players.
He stressed that several members of the squad had returned from international duty carrying heavy minutes, making rotation feel necessary.
He admitted, however, that he misjudged the extent of the changes. He described the situation as the first time he had made such an extensive rotation in his managerial career, adding that the outcome demonstrated it was “too much.”
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He pointed out that the players who started appeared to carry additional pressure, playing more to avoid errors than to take initiative.
City dominated possession but struggled to generate clear chances, while Leverkusen struck clinically through Alejandro Grimaldo in the first half and Patrik Schick in the second.
The result leaves City sitting sixth with 10 points after five games, with the top eight teams set to progress automatically to the round of 16 under the new Champions League format.
Despite the setback, Guardiola expressed confidence in his team’s qualification prospects. City’s final group-stage fixture is against Real Madrid on December 10, giving them a chance to secure their position in the knockout rounds.
Guardiola said the focus now shifts to recovery and preparation for Madrid, emphasising the importance of recalibrating his squad after consecutive defeats.
NAN
