Pep Guardiola took full responsibility for Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
The City boss made 10 changes to his starting line-up from their loss to Newcastle United last weekend, and the Bundesliga side capitalised on their opportunity at Etihad Stadium.
With an average age of 24 years 353 days, City named their second-youngest starting 11 in a Champions League match after December 2018 against Hoffenheim (24y 95d).
Despite the changes, City still had 19 shots in the match – their second-most in a Champions League game that they failed to score in after their goalless draw with Inter in September 2024 (22 shots).
Nevertheless, Guardiola accepted the blame for the loss in his 100th Champions League game in charge of City, but insisted that the rotation was due to the well-being of his players.
"I have to accept it," Guardiola told TNT Sports.
"If we win, it wouldn't be a problem, so I have to accept it that maybe it's a lot, but I think playing every two or three days, we need to [make some changes], but seeing the result, maybe it's too much.
"I take full responsibility. I think the players that started were exceptional players, but we missed something needed at the highest level. We now have to fight for the next games."
City have lost two of their last four home matches in the Champions League (W2), as many defeats as in their previous 37 (W30 D5). This was also their first home group-stage loss in 24 games in the competition since September 2018 versus Lyon.
John Stones, who captained City, believes there will be a lot of lessons to be learned from the loss.
"We weren't good enough as a collective," said the defender.
"We created a lot of chances, but all in all, I think we didn’t have that edge to us. The clinical edge, the aggressive edge – which is very uncharacteristic for us as a team.
"It was difficult at times to keep them in one area of the pitch, but it's a night we need to reflect on massively."
Danilo Silver
0
Of course, they are not the first team. But looking at the players, you will know that they are by far better than Leverkusen players. And to think they can't play Leverkusen at home in the Champions League, then they don't deserve City's shirt.
very well said!
Jabacnostu
1
Of course, they are not the first team. But looking at the players, you will know that they are by far better than Leverkusen players. And to think they can't play Leverkusen at home in the Champions League, then they don't deserve City's shirt.
Fedbinrtu
0
pep should just quit football, he is making a lot of stupid mistakes and his costing the team badly.
Necaclnpst
0
Mzaha mzaha wa Pep umetufikisha hapa! Ucl sio mashindano ya kufanyia mzaha. Jifunze na usirudie kamwe = Guardiola just made fun of Leverkusen! And it has cost Man City . Ucl should constantly be taken seriously . This is a lesson that such ridiculous decision which should never be repeated.
tedaikruy
1
This is the joke of the century, how a coach could test players at this level?ucl is not a competition to test players.
phemoranking
1
😁 if barca is falling then man city is going down ......
hybrid4ohye
1
pep over did it this time.
truthisbitter
0
The mistake was done on the transfer market, average players mainly from Italian clubs,bang average,citys future is doomed,Pep should immediately find a deputy for halaand,so that city can win anything this season, otherwise trophyless loads!
Rmulbah1992
0
PEP,YOU'RE A WITCH, YOU MAKE ME LOSE MY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I WILL NOT FORGAVE YOU EASILY.
jamdun009
2
Pep Gaudiola is the Greatest Manager Ever. He has a Squad and are entitled to Rotate the players to keep them Movtivated. Can he used the same Team all Season. Their performance wasn't good enough to win the game. Win, Lose or Draw ..CITY4LIFE
Sikbimnuz
3
may satan punish the useless quardiola
Sikbimnuz
0
Of course, Joseph Guardiola is responsible for the defeat ..... or did he want to blame me .... ❓️😝😜😛
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he's very stupid for under rating any team
faith1984
0
I see guadiola wants to focus more on EPL.
Sikbimnuz
0
is not as if his squad is good
Sikbimnuz
1
he's have started doing nonsense experiments he use to do useless thing
Sikbimnuz
0
why will he be testing players for important game like champion league
Sikbimnuz
1
coach of man city is.a useless thing
Charlesugwu
2
Pep: the season is still far, we can still win the CL
ifadac
1
Of course, Joseph Guardiola is responsible for the defeat ..... or did he want to blame me .... ❓️😝😜😛
Kirk4ujm
3
As he should....dat was amateur coaching with so much rotation. Must be match fixing
bedcdepuz
0
how come they don't fire this guy
Conradfvs
0
What a useless bunch of underperforming backpassing lazy overpaid players . They’re pathetic to support & watch . Losers all of them .
Vudbmopsuy
4
As a manager when your team keep winning fan see you as the best but when the team start losing they ask for your head but it is what it is can’t win all this is the game of football
fibadimnos
2
My only request to City management, is to let Guardiola leave the club after his contract expires, it shouldn't be renewed let him go and do experiments somewhere else. it's unacceptable to loose such easy games at home. why should an experienced manager like him make such a line up for a team playing UCL? That line up was a pure insult to Leverkusen.
Duodilmntu
2
Of course, you had to, Pep!