Unexpected Upset at the Etihad
Manchester City entered their home match against Leverkusen as clear favourites, especially with the German side struggling after key departures and a managerial change.
However, City suffered a stunning 0–2 defeat, marking their first Champions League loss of the season.
Many bettors on 12BET Malaysia were shocked by the upset, and live odds shifted rapidly. For more exclusive UCL markets, simply login 12BET.
Guardiola’s Radical Rotation Sparks Collapse
Pep Guardiola rotated heavily after last week’s exhausting league match. Rotation itself wasn’t the problem—the scale of the rotation was.
He replaced almost the entire defensive line, and the lack of familiarity quickly turned into chaos.
City fielded a backline of Trafford, Ake, Stones, Aït-Nouri, and Kusanov—almost a completely new setup.
This decision disrupted the team’s defensive chemistry and left players like Nico González struggling without proper midfield support.
Leverkusen Take Advantage with Simple Goals
Leverkusen’s first goal came in the 23rd minute from a simple right-side buildup.
Kofana’s pass into the box allowed Grimaldo to strike home with little pressure.
The shot wasn’t powerful, but City’s disorganised defence left Trafford helpless.
The second goal (54′) exposed the same weakness.
A standard 45-degree cross found Patrik Schick, who outmuscled City’s central defenders for a classic striker’s header.
Both centre-backs reacted late, and the goalkeeper was too slow to respond.
City Lack Threat in Attack
With Reijnders and Rico Lewis both pushing high, City’s defensive cover became even thinner.
Sávio and Bobb failed to create danger on the wings, while Marmoush ran tirelessly but without real impact.
City looked busy, but their attacks lacked purpose and penetration.
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Substitutions Came Too Late
Guardiola eventually introduced Foden and Doku, then Haaland and Cherki in the 65th minute.
But by then, momentum was gone, and Leverkusen were fully prepared to defend and counter.
City pushed hard—recording 19 shots and 7 on target—but still couldn’t score.
The late surge was simply too late to undo the early damage.
Fans Furious as “Overthinking” Strikes Again
This is another match where fans felt Guardiola lost to his own tactical experiments.
Supporters voiced their frustration online, arguing that Pep no longer has the luxury of “trying new ideas” when the club’s season has already been inconsistent.
With every point becoming more precious, this defeat will only increase pressure on the manager.
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