Pep Guardiola admits heavily rotated squad was ‘too much’ after landmark home loss

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pep Guardiola admits he made too many changes to squad Leverkusen UCL game

Pep Guardiola has conceded that his heavily rotated side, which saw almost an entirely different team from the previous matchday squad, may have been “too many changes” as Manchester City suffered their first home loss in the Champions League group stages in more than seven years.

Man City suffered a 2-0 defeat whilst hosting Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad Stadium – a place that has been largely a fortress in European fixtures since the Catalan coach arrived – but the biggest headline on the night was the whopping 10 personnel changes Guardiola made to his starting XI.

It has been argued that Pep has become overly reliant on star striker Erling Haaland (who has already scored 19 goals in the Premier League and UCL combined this season), and the virtually ‘start-from-scratch’ outfit he fielded on Tuesday night definitely didn’t do him any favours.

Speaking to various media in post-match interviews and the press conference after the game, Pep admitted that his wholesale rotation gamble may have been “too much.”

Considering the only continuity between the batch that faced Leverkusen and the previous squad that narrowly lost to Newcastle United was the still relatively new CDM, Nico González, we think he might be on to something.

ADVERTISEMENT

In fact, as if the conviction behind the decision wasn’t already questionable enough, Pep insisted before the game that he would have made more if he could, but with fellow central midfielder talisman Rodri still injured, the number 14 was the sole teammate who remained from the weekend.

There are always going to be lapses in sharpness and fluidity when a lineup is shuffled, but it’s fair to say that it’s almost guaranteed when you remove every individual bar one.

ADVERTISEMENT

Perhaps this was a somewhat covert/loaded attempt to shine a light again on previously mentioned complaints regarding squad depth in relation to the increasingly congested fixture list, with both Guardiola and the aforementioned Euro 2020 winner having flagged their concerns about the calendar.

This is also the second time in just a matter of days that the 54-year-old has held his hands up and taken accountability for making “huge mistakes”.

Pep Guardiola apologises for ’embarrassing’ camera operator confrontation

Not only was it City’s first Champions League loss of the season, but as mentioned, the first and at home in the competition’s initial stages in more than half a decade.

It’s quite a record that Pep has clung onto, which should get plenty of recognition in its own right, but supporters will nevertheless be hoping to get back to winning ways soon and avoid stringing together any more consecutive losses.

Last November was the first time Guardiola had ever lost four matches in a row during his entire career, and with a trio of very winnable fixtures coming up in the league, we would bank on a big reaction in the next game against Leeds.

If you missed the game, you can watch the highlights from Man City vs Bayer Leverkusen down below.

What did you make of the performance, Blues?

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — CBS Sports Golazo (screenshot via YouTube)

Bolton man jailed for rape and ‘violent’ sexual assault of vulnerable woman

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man who subjected a vulnerable woman to a violent sexual attack and then refused her medical help has been handed a lengthy jail sentence.

Kieran Naylor, of Bold Street in Bolton, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (25 November) after being found guilty of two counts of rape, a section 18 assault, false imprisonment, and theft.

The offences took place around this time last year (9 and 10 December 2024), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained.

Naylor approached the victim at a nearby petrol station and invited her to his home, and once the pair were there, he became violent and sexually assaulted her. During the attack, the victim sustained serious injuries, including a broken wrist and femur, which required multiple surgeries.

Despite the injuries the victim sustained during the attack, Naylor refused to call for medical assistance and instead locked her inside his property.

The 39-year-old later left the address, taking the victim’s bank card along with him and attempting to make purchases in Bolton town centre.

The victim eventually managed to reach the doorway, where a member of the public found her and called emergency services.

Police arrived at the scene and arrested Naylor there and then.

Following the trial at Manchester Crown Court, Naylor has been jailed for 14 years – with the police describing him as a ‘dangerous individual’.

“This was a shocking and deeply disturbing crime,” explained Detective Constable Lucy Birch, from Bolton CID. “Naylor is a dangerous individual who is rightly behind bars for a long time.

“We know how difficult this has been for the victim and her family, and her bravery ensured justice was served.”

Sadly, the victim passed away before seeing Naylor face justice, but GMP says the evidence she provided ensured he received a ‘substantial’ sentence.

Read more:

DC Birch concluded: “It is saddening that she passed away before seeing Naylor sentenced, but her courage has helped protect other women from harm.”

Featured Image – GMP

More

Sankeys nightclub in Manchester is set to relaunch

Art & Culture

Sankeys nightclub is returning to Manchester

Loyle Carner Victoria Warehouse live gig review Manchester

Art & Culture

Review | ‘Hopefully!’, you get lucky enough to see the spectacle that is Loyle Carner live

Liam Gallagher thanks Oasis fans in funny twitter post

Art & Culture

Liam Gallagher thanks Oasis fans with typically unserious and X-rated post on social media

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches