Man City stunned 2-0 by Leverkusen as Guardiola hits 100 Champions League games
Manchester City’s grip on Champions League dominance slipped away on a cold Tuesday night in Manchester. A 2-0 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen wasn’t just a loss—it was a wake-up call. The game, played at the Etihad Stadium on November 25, 2025, marked Pep Guardiola’s 100th match in charge of City in Europe’s premier club competition. And yet, instead of celebration, there was silence in the stands. The German side, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, stormed the Etihad with goals from Alejandro Grimaldo García and Victor Hovhannisyan Schick, while goalkeeper Jeroen Flekken held firm with a commanding clean sheet. It was a performance that exposed cracks in City’s armor—and not just because of the lineup changes.
When the Plan Backfired
Guardiola rotated heavily, resting key names like Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne after a bruising 2-1 Premier League loss to Newcastle on November 9. The logic? Preserve energy for the December clash with Paris Saint-Germain. But football doesn’t always reward pragmatism. The midfield lacked rhythm. The full-backs were isolated. And when Leverkusen pressed high—something they’ve done with increasing precision this season—the City backline looked disoriented. It wasn’t incompetence. It was inexperience. Eight of the starting XI had fewer than 15 Champions League appearances for City. And in the 37th minute, Grimaldo, the Spanish left-back with the killer instinct, cut inside from the flank and curled a shot past Ederson. No fluke. Pure timing.
Then, just before halftime, Schick—once a forgotten talent at RB Leipzig—rose above Ruben Dias to head home a cross from Jonathan Tah. The goal wasn’t just a finish. It was a statement. Leverkusen weren’t just holding on. They were taking over.
Defenders Who Held the Line
While the attack fizzled, two defenders stood tall. According to OneFootball’s player ratings, Nathan Benjamin Ake and Abdukhoshim Khusanov both earned a rare 7/10. Ake, the Dutch veteran, made six clearances and intercepted four passes in his own third. Khusanov, the 23-year-old Uzbek center-back signed from FC Pakhtakor in 2024, was calm under pressure, even when Schick danced past him in the 68th minute. He didn’t stop the goal—but he didn’t give up. That’s the kind of resilience Guardiola values. But one thing’s clear: you can’t win Champions League games with defensive heroics alone.
A Milestone, But Not a Celebration
Guardiola became only the third manager in history to reach 100 Champions League matches with a single English club—joining Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger. Yet this wasn’t a milestone moment. It was a moment of reckoning. City had entered the match in fourth place with 10 points, safely in the top eight that guarantee automatic progression to the round of 16. Now, after five games, they’re still on 10 points—but so are Leverkusen, who’ve climbed to third. The gap between safety and elimination has shrunk to a sliver. With two games left, City must beat Paris Saint-Germain on December 10 and hope Juventus falter against Shakhtar Donetsk. Even then, goal difference might decide their fate.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen, who last reached the Champions League final in 2002, are now just one point behind leaders Juventus. Their coach, Xabi Alonso, has turned them into a tactical marvel—fluid, compact, and devastating on the counter. After this win, Alonso said: “We didn’t come to survive. We came to take something.” And they did.
What This Means for City’s Season
This isn’t just about Champions League qualification. It’s about identity. City have won the last two Premier League titles and were expected to dominate Europe again. But their reliance on rotation, especially in high-stakes games, is becoming a liability. They’ve lost three of their last five matches across all competitions. The defense, once a fortress, now looks brittle. And the midfield, without De Bruyne’s vision or Rodri’s control, has no heartbeat.
There’s no panic yet. Guardiola has navigated worse. But the message from the pitch was unmistakable: when you rest your best players against a team as hungry as Leverkusen, you’re gambling with your legacy.
What’s Next?
City’s next test arrives on December 10, when they travel to Paris Saint-Germain. A win there is non-negotiable. A draw might still keep them alive, but only if Juventus drop points against Shakhtar on the same night. Meanwhile, Leverkusen host Benfica on December 11, a match they’re favored to win. If they do, they’ll be in the top four with one game to spare.
For City, the next few weeks could define whether they’re still Europe’s powerhouse—or just another team trying to catch up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Guardiola rotate the team so heavily?
Guardiola rotated to manage player fatigue after a demanding Premier League schedule, including a 2-1 loss to Newcastle and a 4-1 win over Dortmund. With a crucial match against Paris Saint-Germain looming on December 10, he prioritized rest for key players like De Bruyne and Foden. But the decision backfired as the replacements struggled to match the intensity and cohesion of Leverkusen’s well-drilled unit.
How does this loss affect Manchester City’s chances of advancing?
City now sit tied on 10 points with Leverkusen and Benfica, but their goal difference has dropped to +5 from +8. Only the top eight automatically qualify for the round of 16. With two games left, they need at least a win against PSG and a Juventus loss to Shakhtar to guarantee progression. A draw could be enough—but only if goal difference favors them, which is now uncertain.
Who were the standout players for Bayer Leverkusen?
Alejandro Grimaldo scored the opening goal with a clinical left-footed curler, while Victor Schick sealed the win with a powerful header. But the real hero was goalkeeper Jeroen Flekken, who made seven saves—including a stunning stop on Erling Haaland in the 79th minute. His composure under pressure was the difference, and his clean sheet was Leverkusen’s first away from home in the Champions League this season.
Is this the end of City’s European dominance?
Not at all—but it’s a sign they’re vulnerable. Guardiola’s side has won 12 of their last 14 Champions League home games. This loss doesn’t signal collapse; it signals adaptation. Other teams are studying City’s patterns. Leverkusen, under Xabi Alonso, showed how to exploit their rotation habits. The challenge now is whether City can adjust faster than their rivals.
What’s the significance of Guardiola’s 100th Champions League match?
Only two other managers in history—Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger—have reached 100 Champions League matches with a single English club. Guardiola’s achievement reflects consistency and excellence. But this result is his first home defeat in the competition since 2022. It’s a reminder that even the greatest managers face moments where tactics, timing, and luck don’t align.
How does this result impact Bayer Leverkusen’s season?
This win moves Leverkusen to third in the group with 8 points, just two behind leaders Juventus. It’s their best Champions League campaign since 2002, when they reached the final. A win against Benfica on December 11 would seal automatic qualification. For a club that rarely challenges at this level, this is historic. Their youth development and tactical discipline under Xabi Alonso are now being recognized across Europe.
