Manchester City’s formidable 23-game unbeaten home run in the Champions League came to an abrupt end on Tuesday night, as Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen clinched a stunning 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium. The result not only spoiled Pep Guardiola’s 100th Champions League match as City manager but also dropped the Premier League champions to sixth place in the group standings with 10 points from five matches.
Guardiola opted for heavy rotation, making 10 changes to his starting lineup. The gamble proved costly. Leverkusen capitalized early, striking in the 23rd minute through a swift counter-attack. Malik Tillman delivered a well-placed cross that Christian Kofane controlled inside the penalty area, laying it off for Alejandro Grimaldo, who fired decisively past goalkeeper James Trafford.
In response, Guardiola introduced Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and Nico O’Reilly at the start of the second half, hoping to inject urgency and creativity. However, Leverkusen doubled their advantage in the 54th minute. Patrik Schick rose above Nathan Ake, guiding a glancing header beyond Trafford’s reach and deepening City’s troubles.
Erling Haaland entered the fray in the 65th minute to a warm ovation and immediately threatened the visitors’ defence. But Mark Flekken, Leverkusen’s standout performer, denied the Norwegian’s best opportunity—a one-on-one chance created by a clever Foden through ball. Flekken continued to frustrate City, producing crucial stops to keep out efforts from Ake and Tijjani Reijnders as City piled on pressure with 20 attempts, seven of them on target.
Leverkusen’s resilience drew praise from defender Jarell Quansah, who described the triumph as special. “It’s an unbelievable feeling (to win at The Etihad) to be honest,” he told TNT Sports. “We needed a lot of character and a lot of fight and grit… We defended a bit deeper than I would have liked to, but glad to get the win.”
Manager Kasper Hjulmand echoed the sentiment, calling it “a night to remember.” He added, “We are so happy with this win, but not only the win but the character the team showed… I think this night is a night to remember, and it’s fuel for our development.”
City’s defeat marked their first at home in a Champions League group-stage match since a 2-1 loss to Lyon in 2018.
In other action, Newcastle United saw their three-match Champions League winning streak end with a 2-1 loss at Olympique de Marseille. Harvey Barnes opened the scoring early, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck twice after halftime, sealing Marseille’s second win of the campaign. Newcastle, now on nine points, will travel to face Leverkusen next as the group stage nears its conclusion.
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