‘Too much’ – Guardiola admits he went too far with 10 changes as Man City lose 2-0 to Leverkusen | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made 10 changes to the team that lost to Newcastle United over the weekend, as the Cityzens faced Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League.

Guardiola left talisman Erling Haaland on the bench alongside other big hitters like Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, and Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Nico Gonzalez was the only survivor from the weekend game as the Spanish tactician handed starts to Oscar Bobb, Savio, and Nathan Ake.

The lack of cutting edge and cohesion showed, as Man City succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium, making it back-to-back losses for the FA Cup finalists.

Leverkusen sliced through Man City on 22, executing a brilliant move that ended with left-back Alejandro Grimaldo lashing a fierce hit into the back of the net.

City created dangerous moments, but could not find a way beyond Mark Flekken in the Leverkusen goal.

Captain Grimaldo was involved in the second as Patrik Schick glanced a header into the net in the second half to seal City’s defeat.

Guardiola admitted that the upheaval in Manchester City’s starting line-up cost them, even though he was adamant before the game that his side needed fresh legs.

When asked whether the rotation cost his team, he said (via TNT Sports), “I understand your question. “Absolutely, I have to accept it. I have to accept that if we win, it will not be a problem.

“I accept that maybe it’s a lot, but I think they’re playing every two or three or four days, we need to… but maybe it’s too much. Seeing the result, maybe it’s too much.”

Thankfully, City remain in one of the automatic round of 16 qualification spots (sixth place), even though things could change after other games.

However, the result does put into perspective that this City team might not be strong or consistent enough to challenge for major titles.

After the heavy summer reinforcement, many expected Guardiola’s side to be back in the frame for top honours, but they are clearly not there yet.

Guardiola’s rotation was designed to protect his stars and preserve energy for the run-in, yet it exposed just how far this group still is from functioning as a slick, title-ready unit.

City must rediscover their sharpness and identity before this campaign slips away from them. The quality is there on paper. Now, Guardiola needs performances that prove it on the pitch.