Manchester City 0 Bayer Leverkusen 2: City player ratings as City’s depth is exposed | OneFootball

Manchester City 0

Bayer Leverkusen 2 (Alejandro Grimaldo 23′, Patrik Shick 54′)

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City slumped to their second consecutive defeat in all competitions after they were beaten 2-nil by a quality Bayer Leverkusen side. Goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Shick were enough for the visitors to claim all three points in tonight’s UEFA Champions League league phase fixture.

Pep Guardiola made ten changes to the starting lineup that were beaten by Newcastle United at St. James Park. The changes didn’t pay off as a host of City’s fringe players failed to seize their opportunity. The performance of the City players who had their opportunity to start leaves more questions then answers after such a disjointed display from Pep Guardiola’s side.

City player ratings

James Trafford-5/10: Could do little about either goal but his performance in goal wasn’t his best. One mix up with John Stones in the second half could have been disastrous as Trafford didn’t put in the best display. He wasn’t alone on that front.

Abdukodir Khusanov-6/10: Started the game well and full of attacking intent. Khusanov wasn’t City’s worst player before he was substituted.

John Stones-6/10: Was good in possession and did split open the Leverkusen defence with his passing on several occasions. Wasn’t City’s worst performer on the night.

Nathan Ake-6/10: Did his job at the back with minimal fuss.

Rayan Ait-Nouri-4/10: The Algerian international struggled at left-back in the first half. He was caught out of position for Leverkusen’s first goal and looked like a player who hasn’t played for a few months.

Rico Lewis-4/10: The game passed him by in midfield before he was taken off at halftime.

Nico-5/10: Toiled away in midfield but wasn’t at his best as Leverkusen played over and through Manchester City’s midfield with ease. Needed support from his teammates which didn’t arrive.

Tijjani Reijnders-5/10: Had his moments but didn’t take advantage of them. Spurned another good chance to score before halftime and he desperately needs a goal for his confidence in my opinion.

Oscar Bobb-4.5/10: Had one moment of quality but lacked any decisiveness in his play. Taken off at halftime after a disappointing display.

Savinho-4.5/10: The Brazilian international is a frustrating player to analyse. He has moments but too often his end product is lacking. That undoes a lot of his good work and he must improve this side of his game.

Omar Marmoush-5/10: I felt sorry for Marmoush as he toiled away without any real service to have a meaningful impact on tonight’s match.

Substitutes

Phil Foden-6/10: Provided an attacking threat in midfield which his team desperately lacked in the first half.

Jeremy Doku-6.5/10: He instantly gave City an attacking threat on the left wing. Had his moments and is by far and away Manchester City’s most dangerous winger.

Nico O’Reilly-6/10: Did his job at left-back and he offered an attacking threat in the second half.

Erling Haaland-6/10: Manchester City were immediately a better team from the moment Haaland came on. He had several chances to score but it wasn’t

Rayan Cherki-6/10: Had several good moments in the final third after coming on.