"Why the manager rested so many, including Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, is intriguing considering the Newcastle reverse was on Saturday and there are four days until Leeds visit. Kasper Hjulmand's side prospered on the break and in space City's leaky defence allowed, as Alejandro Grimaldo fired them into an opening period lead doubled by Patrik Schick after the break."
"Guardiola offered the normal pre-game platitudes about Leverkusen being a tough opponent, then made 10 changes, with Nico Gonzalez the sole man to be retained. As Hjulmand's men arrived as the third placed Bundesliga team, eight points behind Bayern Munich, Guardiola's thinking was understandable unless, of course, the Germans took the lead. Then Guardiola might consider a rejig of his formation that had Tijjani Reijnders and Rico Lewis as the attacking midfield pair behind a frontline of Oscar Bobb, Omar Marmoush, and Savinho."
Manchester City last lost a Champions League group match at home in September 2018 when Pep Guardiola was in the stands due to a ban and Nabil Fekir's winner gave Lyon a 2-1 victory. Guardiola rested all but one of the team that lost at Newcastle United, making ten changes with Nico Gonzalez the sole retained player; Erling Haaland and Phil Foden were among those omitted. Bayer Leverkusen prospered on the break and in space, Alejandro Grimaldo fired them into the lead and Patrik Schick doubled after the break. The ongoing absence of Rodri contributed to continued defensive frailties and an off-colour display.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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