PEP GUARDIOLA'S MILESTONE NIGHT FAILS FLAT, SHOCKING UCL DISPLAY
Pep Guardiola's shocking team selection was blamed for Man City's defeat. His 10 changes led to a disastrous 100th UCL game in charge.
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Reaching 100 games should be a party, but not this time. Pep Guardiola's 100th game managing Manchester City in the Champions League was one of their worst performances, and he carries a lot of the blame.
City lost not only thanks to the manager's overconfidence and a weak team showing, but also because Bayer Leverkusen played great. Guardiola chose his backups for a match between top teams, and they failed. It was a risk that didn't work out, especially with a match against Leeds coming up. Was resting his starters worth it for a team near relegation? This loss could make things hard for City in the next stage.
City has now dropped two straight, after Newcastle beat them. They might lose their next Champions League game against Real Madrid, too. All of a sudden, this group stage looks tricky. For Leverkusen, Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrick Schick scored good goals, proving how manager Kasper Hjulmand has turned things around after Erik ten Hag's short time there.
If Leverkusen messed up hiring the former Manchester United manager, Guardiola did the same with his team choices. If he wanted to show that City isn't a one-man team, it didn't work. His substitutes weren't good, and no one stepped up. Guardiola, who has won the league in Germany three times, seemed to underestimate the recent German champions.
Maybe City's solid start in the competition, with 10 points, made him feel safe. Or maybe it was their record of not losing at home in the group stage for 23 games. Leverkusen became the first team to beat them since Lyon in 2018.
Guardiola made 10 changes, with only Nico Gonzalez staying in the starting lineup. Even he wouldn't start if Rodri were healthy. Key players were missing at the start.
Guardiola had to bring on some players during halftime, taking off others who weren't playing well. Later, more players joined. One player who usually does well against German teams didn't do much and was subbed out.
A top player came on to try to save the situation and almost kept his scoring streak going, but the Leverkusen goalkeeper made a save. The goalkeeper also saved a free kick. The subs made a difference, but the starters made it too hard.
The goalkeeper played great, but he didn't have to do much in the first half. Guardiola's starting lineup cost a lot, but City was flat. The goalkeeper made a good save, but City's backups didn't create much. Then, Leverkusen took control, and the goalkeeper made another save. Maybe it was the dullness before halftime that made Guardiola make changes, or maybe it was because Leverkusen was winning.
Leverkusen scored first. It was a great goal for one of the manager's best signings. A key player from Leverkusen's title-winning team is still there, and he helped score the second goal.
Another Leverkusen player scored as well.
Leverkusen showed that a team can win, and a team with injuries can defend well. They stayed calm and managed the game. Their Champions League started badly, with three games without a win and one 7-2 loss.
City was supposed to be tough, but this was a great win for Leverkusen. The city and Guardiola aren't used to nights like this. His team and he messed up this time.
TITLE BLUEPRINT: HOW MANCHESTER CITY’S GAME IN HAND COULD DECIDE THE 2026 PREMIER LEAGUE
Title hunt. Get the report on Guardiola’s control, Arteta’s lead, and the upcoming Leeds United clash.
Manchester City did exactly what they needed to over the weekend. They battled past Newcastle, squeaking out a 2-1 win that keeps their Premier League fate in their own hands. For a moment, City sat just two points behind Arsenal, at least until Arsenal rolled into Tottenham and smashed their rivals 4-1. That put Arsenal five clear at the top again, but City still have that all-important game in hand. After a weekend loaded with nerves and tension, City are still right in the thick of the title race, which is really all they can ask for at this point.
That win over Newcastle felt like a real test. You could feel the anxiety in the air at the Etihad. Newcastle didn’t just show up to make up the numbers; they pushed City hard and never let them settle. Every minute felt tight. City knew they had to win, especially with Arsenal dropping points to Wolves. More than that, they needed to prove to themselves they could handle the pressure. In the end, they got the job done, and that’s what mattered most.
Arsenal answered right back. They walked into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and blew Spurs away, 4-1. After their slip against Wolves, it was a real statement. Like City, Arsenal now control their own destiny. And now there’s that huge match coming up in April at the Etihad. If both teams keep winning, that could be the day the title race really explodes.
Looking ahead, neither City nor Arsenal will want to let anything slip. There’s just too much on the line. Sure, some people love a gamble; maybe they’d enjoy spinning the reels on Dragon Risk Slot, but Guardiola and Arteta aren’t gamblers when it comes to the title. They’ll want total control, nothing left to chance.
So, after a weekend packed with drama, both teams are right where they want to be. City got what they needed against Newcastle, and now they’ll look to keep that momentum going, starting with Leeds at Elland Road next weekend. The race is on.
BARCA TARGET MARMOUSH: MANCHESTER CITY STAR EMERGES AS TOP ALTERNATIVE FOR CATALAN GIANTS
Striker hunt: Discover why Barcelona are eyeing Omar Marmoush as a cut-price alternative to Atletico's €200m Julián Alvarez.
Barcelona are eyeing Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush as they look to bring in a new striker this summer.
Sport says Barcelona have already nailed down their main targets for next season, and a new No. 9 tops the list. The problem? The market’s thin, prices are crazy, and the big names cost a fortune.
Julián Alvarez is the dream signing, but Atlético Madrid wants about €150m (£130m). That’s way out of reach. So, Barca are already weighing other options, and Marmoush is high on their list of names they like.
Here’s why Marmoush’s situation at City makes things interesting. City bought him from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025 for €75m (£65m). Pep Guardiola had tracked him for a while; Marmoush was tearing it up in the Bundesliga, and even then, Barcelona’s scouts were watching him too. They think he’d fit right into Hansi Flick’s style, with his speed and link-up play.
But things haven’t clicked for him at City. Erling Haaland is locked in as the main striker, so Marmoush has mostly been on the bench or pushed out wide. He’s shown flashes when he’s come on, but the minutes just haven’t been there. Missing a month for the Africa Cup of Nations didn’t help either, so his stats look pretty average.
Rumours about a possible exit started back in January. Marmoush wants more game time and a bigger role, something Barcelona can offer. Still, they’re not the only ones watching. Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Galatasaray are all interested, which makes his future even more up in the air.
So, is Marmoush’s time at City almost up? Barcelona are in a good spot if Marmoush decides to leave this summer. He’s not their top choice, but if the Alvarez deal falls apart, they could pivot fast.
For City, it all comes down to price. Marmoush cost them €75m (£65m) not long ago, but reports say he could go for less if Guardiola gives the green light. Selling him at a discount would be a big statement; it would basically say he’s not in their plans behind Haaland.
Right now, there’s no official offer. Barcelona are keeping a close eye on things, and a lot depends on whether Marmoush asks for a move after the season wraps up. If he does, City will have to fend off competition from England and Turkey to get the deal done.
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