Manchester City’s unbeaten run in this season’s Champions League came to an end as a much-changed City side were beaten 2-0 by Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad.
Captain Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrick Schick grabbed the goals as the Bundesliga club, efficient and effective on the counter, came out on top following a lacklustre performance from Pep Guardiola’s men.
The result means City drop to sixth spot in the table, while Kasper Hjulmand’s team, who became the first German side to win at the Etihad in more than a decade, are up to 13th.
The City boss made no less than 10 changes to the side that lost to Newcastle at the weekend, with Nico Gonzalez the only City player to keep his place.
And the wholesale changes initially appeared to be working after City raced out the blocks, dominating possession but failing to carve out any real chances.
Guardiola, who had cut a visibly angry figure at St James’ Park on Saturday, appeared a little agitated on the touchline in the early stages. For all the hosts’ dominance, they had little to show for it.
And with 23-minutes gone, that agitation would turn to frustration when the visitors took a shock lead.
Following a slick counter, Christian Kofane with his back to goal touched Ibrahim Maza’s cross into the path of the onrushing Grimaldo who fired low past James Trafford.
City’s response was tepid. Again they controlled the play but once more they were lacking purpose in possession.
That was until a few minutes before the break when former Brentford keeper Mark Flekken was called upon to make two smart saves, first from a deflected Oscar Bobb effort and then Tijjani Reijnders.
Guardiola wasted little time shaking things up, bringing on Nico O’Reilly, Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku at the break in place of Bobb, Rico Lewis and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
With top scorer Erling Haaland looking on from the bench, and the sounds of Etihad faithful growing increasingly frustrated, City would again show vulnerability on the counter, Schick darting in ahead of Nathan Ake to meet Maza’s cross and double Leverkusen’s lead.
City needed a spark. Haaland entered the fray with 25 minutes remaining to help salvage something from the game.
The Norwegian’s introduction seemed to give the hosts an immediate lift, with Flekken required to keep the 25-year-old at bay before the City number nine skied an effort over moments later.
Leverkusen were content to sit behind the ball and preserve the lead, throwing bodies in the way as they held on for a famous victory.
