Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shouldered the blame after his experimental lineup faltered in a surprising 2-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday. Guardiola opted to rest key players, including Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and Gianluigi Donnarumma, a decision that proved costly as Leverkusen capitalized on City’s lackluster performance. Alex Grimaldo opened the scoring in the first half, followed by Patrik Schick’s second-half goal, leaving City fans disgruntled at the final whistle. This marked City’s first home defeat in the Champions League group stage since 2018, ending a 24-game unbeaten run. The loss compounded City’s recent struggles, coming just days after a 2-1 Premier League defeat to Newcastle. Guardiola admitted responsibility, acknowledging that his rotation strategy may have been excessive. Despite dominating possession, City lacked precision and defensive solidity, with Leverkusen exploiting their vulnerabilities. Guardiola’s 100th Champions League match as City boss ended in disappointment, a stark contrast to his previous successes, including the club’s 2023 European triumph. The defeat raises questions about City’s depth and form as they face a packed December schedule, including a crucial clash with Real Madrid. Guardiola emphasized the need to regroup and fight for redemption in upcoming fixtures.