Bayer Leverkusen pulled off a 2-0 win against Manchester City on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium. The defeat ends City’s 23-game unbeaten run at home in European competition.
The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Alejandro Grimaldo tore down the left flank and delivered a low cross. Forward Christian Kofane held the ball up before Grimaldo fired home to put Leverkusen ahead.
City boss Pep Guardiola had rotated his squad heavily, making 10 changes from their last match. That gamble backfired as Leverkusen showed sharpness and discipline; and doubled the lead just before the hour.
In the 54th minute, Patrik Schick rose highest to meet a cross at the near post, glancing a header past goalkeeper James Trafford and into the net. City’s response came late, with key substitutes like Erling Haaland and Phil Foden entering the fray, but they could not find a way past keeper Mark Flekken, who produced several crucial saves.
Pep Guardiola accepted full responsibility for the loss. “I take full responsibility … we missed something needed at the highest level,” he said, adding that the rotation may have been excessive.
Leverkusen, defender Jarell Quansah said the team showed “a lot of character and fight” to pull off the win. Manager Kasper Hjulmand described the night as “a night to remember,” and praised the performance of his squad.
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