Manchester City’s 23-Game Unbeaten Run Crashes at home on Tuesday as Bayer Leverkusen shocked the Etihad Stadium with a 2-0 victory. This defeat ended City’s long-standing dominance in Champions League group or league stage matches at home and spoiled Pep Guardiola’s 100th Champions League match as City manager. After five games, City are now sixth in the group with 10 points, while Leverkusen, who scored through Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick, sit 13th.
Leverkusen Strikes First with a Quick Counter
Pep Guardiola made a bold choice to rest most of his regular starters for the first half, making 10 changes. However, this risky move backfired early, as Manchester City’s 23-Game Unbeaten Run Crashes in the 23rd minute. Leverkusen opened the scoring with a fast counter-attack. Malik Tillman delivered a cross into the box, which Christian Kofane held up for Grimaldo, who fired the ball past goalkeeper James Trafford.
City tried to respond in the second half, bringing on Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, and Nico O’Reilly. Yet, Manchester City’s 23-Game Unbeaten Run Crashes further in the 54th minute when Patrik Schick scored with a glancing header over Nathan Ake and past Trafford.
Erling Haaland entered the game in the 65th minute to a standing ovation from the home crowd. He was involved in several attacking moments, including a one-on-one chance after a through ball from Foden, but Leverkusen goalkeeper Mark Flekken made a brilliant save. Despite City’s efforts, Manchester City’s 23-Game Unbeaten Run Crashes, and they could not get back into the game.
“I take full responsibility,” Guardiola said. “The players who started were excellent, but we missed something needed at the highest level. Manchester City’s 23-Game Unbeaten Run Crashes today, and we now have to fight in the next games. Maybe it was too many changes, but playing every two or three days, we need to rotate players.”
Flekken’s Heroics Seal a Historic Win
Leverkusen goalkeeper Flekken was the star of the night, producing crucial saves to deny Ake and Tijjani Reijnders. City attempted 20 shots in total, with seven on target, while Leverkusen managed just two. Manchester City’s 23-Game Unbeaten Run Crashes due to Flekken’s brilliant performance, highlighting the importance of key moments in football.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling to win at the Etihad,” said Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah. “We needed a lot of character, fight, and grit. City have world-class players, even the ones who started tonight. Manchester City’s 23-Game Unbeaten Run Crashes shows that anything can happen in football.”
Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand added, “We are so happy with this win, but it’s not just the result—it’s the character the team showed. Manchester City’s 23-Game Unbeaten Run Crashes is a reminder that every team must give their best. This is a night to remember, and our goalkeeper played a big role in it.”
City’s defeat is their first at home in the Champions League group stage since September 2018. After their recent 2-1 Premier League loss at Newcastle, Manchester City’s 23-Game Unbeaten Run Crashes have raised concerns about the team’s form. Guardiola must now plan carefully to recover in the remaining group matches.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, will take confidence from this historic night. Manchester City’s 23-Game Unbeaten Run Crashes may have ended, but it also shows the unpredictability of the Champions League and the strength of teams willing to fight against the giants.
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source: The Reuters
