Manchester City slipped to a rare Champions League defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, as Bayer Leverkusen claimed a 2–0 victory that ended City’s 23-match unbeaten home run in the competition’s group or league phase.
The loss also overshadowed Pep Guardiola’s 100th Champions League match in charge of City. After five games, the Premier League champions sit provisionally in sixth place on 10 points, while Leverkusen – who began the night in 13th – earned a valuable win through goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick.
Guardiola rotated heavily for the first half, and the gamble did not pay off. Leverkusen struck in the 23rd minute on the counter, Malik Tillman supplying a cross that Christian Kofane held up before Grimaldo drove a low finish past James Trafford.
The visitors doubled their lead nine minutes into the second half. Schick escaped Nathan Aké to glance a header beyond Trafford, giving City a mountain to climb.
Erling Haaland entered in the 65th minute to a standing ovation, but the Norwegian could not shift the momentum. His best chance was smothered bravely by goalkeeper Mark Flekken, sealing a night to forget for the hosts.
