On a night meant to mark a milestone, Manchester City were handed a sharp lesson. Bayer Leverkusen walked into the Etihad on November 25, 2025, and left with a 2-0 win that felt both clinical and calm. It was Pep Guardiola’s 100th match in the Champions League as City manager, but the scoreline and the patterns told a different story: City had the ball, Leverkusen had the plan.

Goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick turned the occasion into a shock. The result dents City’s group campaign and adds a rare statistic: their first home defeat in the Champions League group stage in seven years, and their first league phase loss since 2018.

A milestone night turned upside down at the Etihad

Guardiola marked the century by rotating heavily. He made 10 changes from the last lineup. The idea was clear: keep legs fresh and spread the minutes. But it cut City’s rhythm. The passing patterns were there. The edge was not.

Erling Haaland started on the bench and came on after the break. By then, Leverkusen had grown into the game and set their trap. Even with City’s star striker on the pitch, the tide did not turn.

“Rotation is fine—ten changes in the UCL? That’s asking for trouble.”

How Leverkusen’s plan beat Manchester City’s possession

Leverkusen did not chase shadows. They chose their moments. With wing-backs tight and midfielders pressing the right spaces, they blocked the middle and sprung forward when City lost the ball. It was a classic counter plan, but done with discipline.

City kept the ball for long spells. But every turnover carried a threat the other way. Leverkusen broke quickly and cleanly, hitting the open lanes behind City’s press. It took only a few breaks to change the game’s feel.

Grimaldo’s bolt and Schick’s header: the decisive moments

The first goal on 23 minutes summed it up. A sharp counter, a smart pass, and Alejandro Grimaldo finished with a ruthless left-foot shot into the bottom-right corner. It was his eighth goal of a standout season and a reminder of his growing role as a leader for this team. He has doubled his tally from last season already, and the timing of this strike could not have been better.

Five minutes into the second half, Patrik Schick doubled the lead with a precise header. The cross found him on the move, and he guided it past the goalkeeper with ease. At 2-0 on 54 minutes, Leverkusen were in control. The Etihad fell quiet.

“Grimaldo’s finish was class—but where was City’s shape?”

Pep Guardiola’s rotation gamble and the Haaland question

Guardiola’s decision to change 10 players will draw debate. It broke up partnerships and slowed the tempo in key areas. City’s passing was tidy but not sharp. The press lacked bite, and the transition defense looked open.

Bringing on Erling Haaland in the second half was the obvious move. But Leverkusen had set the terms by then. The back line held firm. The midfield screen kept the gaps small. Haaland saw little service that truly hurt the visitors.

These are the nights that fuel big questions: did City’s rotation go too far? Is there too much load on a few stars to solve games late? On this evidence, the balance was off. The plan cost City control of the most important moments.

“If Haaland can’t change it off the bench, the plan was wrong from minute one.”

Mark Flekken’s saves and Leverkusen’s defensive steel

While the counter goals will headline, Leverkusen’s keeper Mark Flekken deserves credit. He made key stops at the right times, turning City’s half-chances into frustration. His command settled the team during the late push.

The best example came late on when Rayan Cherki lined up a free-kick. It bent on target, but Flekken was there to deny any lifeline. That save underlined the theme of the night: City could play, but Leverkusen could answer.

City’s seven-year home record falls — and what it means

The numbers are stark. This is City’s first Champions League group-stage home defeat in seven years. It is also their first league phase defeat since 2018. Those markers show how rare this result is. They also show how well Leverkusen executed.

For City, the immediate impact is on the group table. Zero points on the night tightens the margins. There is time to respond, but the cushion is thinner. The performance will also be studied inside the club. Expect a recalibration of rotation in key fixtures.

Why Leverkusen’s win travels

This was more than a smash-and-grab. It was a smart game plan carried out with focus. The wing-backs and midfield pressed hard. The counters were direct and clean. The finishers were sharp. Grimaldo and Schick took their chances with no fuss.

Leverkusen walk away with a vital away win and a boost in the group standings. They also leave with belief. If you can win at the Etihad, you can win anywhere in this competition. This result will travel with them.

Final word: lessons for both sides

For Guardiola, the message is simple. Rotation has a limit. Ten changes on a Champions League night can tilt the balance too far. City’s possession remains elite, but the transitions must be protected, and the press must bite. The rhythm needs to return fast.

For Leverkusen, this is proof of concept. Stay compact. Break fast. Trust your finishers. Trust your keeper. On a milestone night in Manchester, the visitors showed all of that and more.

City will be back; they always are. But on this night, the story belongs to Leverkusen — organized, ruthless, and fully deserved winners.