Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a scathing assessment of his team's performance following a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. The Catalan boss, who made a staggering 10 changes to his starting lineup, accused his players of being gripped by fear and failing to take the necessary risks to win the match.
A Night of Frustration at the Etihad
Guardiola's wholesale changes proved costly as a subdued City side succumbed to the German opponents. The manager did not hold back in his post-match analysis, pinpointing a lack of courage as the root cause of the loss. "We didn't try," Guardiola stated bluntly. "In football, when you play on the green you have to try things and we didn't try."
He elaborated further, suggesting that the selected players were more concerned with avoiding errors than seizing the initiative. "I think they played not to make mistakes, not to play to do something. They played to be safe, to not make mistakes and that's why it's so difficult," Guardiola explained, highlighting the mental block that hampered his team.
Rotation Policy and a 'Good Lesson'
The defeat marks City's second consecutive loss, raising questions as the busy festive schedule intensifies. Guardiola defended his decision to rotate the squad, citing the physical impossibility of using the same players consistently. "Maybe I have a theory to rotate because it's impossible to sustain," he said, while reaffirming his belief in the entire squad.
However, the outcome served as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. "I had a lot of confidence in them and I still do," Guardiola noted. "Maybe I think higher of them than they think about themselves. It was a good lesson for me, as experienced as I am as a manager." With City playing twice a week until mid-January, resolving this crisis of confidence among the fringe players is now paramount.
Looking Ahead to the Leeds Clash
Attention now turns to the Premier League, where City will aim to return to winning form against Leeds United on Saturday. Daniel Farke's side, languishing in the relegation zone with just one win in their last six league games, present an opportunity for a swift response.
Guardiola confirmed he is likely to recall many of the players rested against Leverkusen for the weekend fixture. The team will again be without the injured Rodri, though the manager offered a positive update, stating the midfielder is "not far off" from a return from his hamstring issue. The performance against Leeds will be closely watched to see if City can shed the fear that plagued them in midweek.
