Champions League / Man City vs Bayer Leverkusen: Guardiola admits a costly mistake

Champions League / Man City vs Bayer Leverkusen: Guardiola makes his mea culpa

Champions League / Man City vs Bayer Leverkusen: Guardiola admits a costly mistake

Manchester City endured a turbulent European night, marked by a worrying defeat to Bayer Leverkusen (0-2) in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola's decision to make ten changes to his starting eleven sparked a wave of criticism in England. For the first time in his career, the Catalan coach admitted he had gone too far:

"It was maybe too much... If we had won, it wouldn't have been a problem, but this time, it was too much," he acknowledged.

Neither Haaland nor Foden’s introduction, nor City’s usual composure, could prevent the collapse.

Without Rodri, City lost their structure, conceding two goals on quick transitions—a department where they are rarely vulnerable. Guardiola admitted his team lacked the personality to respond:

"We missed something essential at the highest level. We played to avoid mistakes."

This reflection highlights the current limitation of the squad: without their leaders, City no longer shows the same solidity.

"You can’t play Erling for 95 minutes every time... but this time, it was too much."

Caught between the urgency of keeping pace with Arsenal in the Premier League and the pressure of Europe, Guardiola now faces a strategic dilemma. This defeat—their first at home in the group stage in seven years—forces him to reassess his management and the true depth of his squad.