Pep Guardiola’s landmark 100th Champions League match at the helm of Manchester City ended in frustration as a heavily rotated side was shocked by Bayer Leverkusen.
Guardiola altered nearly his entire lineup after their league defeat at Newcastle, but the overhaul proved costly as City slipped to a second consecutive loss.
The home team began brightly, with Nathan Ake’s close-range stab pushed aside by Mark Flekken’s alert save, yet for much of the match they were sluggish and predictable in possession.
Leverkusen, lively on the break, capitalised when Christian Kofane cut the ball back for skipper Alejandro Grimaldo, who struck a clean first-time effort into the net.
City’s backup players struggled to build momentum as they attempted to respond, with Tijjani Reijnders weaving forward only to fire directly at Flekken, the former Brentford keeper.
The visiting side extended their advantage nine minutes into the second half when Patrik Schick rose highest to guide in a header from Ibrahim Maza’s precise delivery.
Erling Haaland came on after an hour and nearly influenced the game shortly afterward, racing on to a pass from Phil Foden, but Flekken closed him down quickly.
The Norwegian forward later lifted another attempt over the bar, but the evening ultimately belonged to Leverkusen and their jubilant travelling fans.