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On November 25, 2025, Bayer Leverkusen surprised Manchester City with a 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Goals from Alejandro Grimaldo (23′) and Patrik Schick (54′) sealed a memorable win for the German side, marking their second victory in the competition this season. City dominated possession (55%) and shots (19-7), but failed to convert their chances. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken was named Man of the Match for Leverkusen.
This was Pep Guardiola’s 100th Champions League match in charge of City, but he ended up frustrated after making 10 changes to the starting lineup following the 2-1 Premier League defeat to Newcastle United a few days earlier. Key stars like Erling Haaland, Gianluigi Donnarumma and others were substitutes, a decision that failed spectacularly.
Regarding Manchester City: The defeat ended City’s unbeaten home run in the Champions League. It was their first loss at the Etihad in the competition in seven years and only their second overall this season.
It dropped them to sixth in the group stage table (with 9 points from 5 games), just outside the automatic qualification places for the round of 16 (the top 8 qualify directly).
Morale was shaken amid a widespread poor run of form—consecutive defeats in various competitions for the first time since early 2024—raising questions about squad depth and how fatigue is being managed after the international break.
The reactions on social media were striking, with fans and pundits criticizing the “complacency” in squad rotation, comparing it to treating the game like a “second-division cup tie.” About Bayer Leverkusen
The result was a major boost for new coach Kasper Hjulmand, who has only lost twice in all competitions since September 2025. This propelled the team up the table (their exact position isn’t specified, but they went from one win in their previous four matches to two in five), increasing their chances of reaching the knockout stage (positions 9-24).
The standout performances from Grimaldo, Schick (recently returning from injury), and young midfielder Ibrahim Maza (who provided an assist) underscored their attacking stamina and counter-attacking potential. Fans and the press hailed it as proof that Leverkusen is no longer a “small club,” especially after similar squad rotations by Bayern Munich.
*Note: Table based on partial post-match data; the top 8 advance directly to the round of 16, and teams ranked 9th to 24th enter the playoffs. The complete standings are provisional until all 8 matchdays are completed.
Implications for qualification: With three group stage matches remaining, City must win at least two to secure a top-8 finish and avoid the extra playoff round, which could involve a tie against unseeded teams. Their upcoming matches (e.g., against Real Madrid) become crucial to regain momentum.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, gains some breathing room; a top-24 finish now seems assured, and another upset could bring them closer to direct qualification, validating Hjulmand’s rebuilding efforts after losing Xabi Alonso and stars like Florian Wirtz in the summer.
Tactical and squad ramifications: Guardiola’s rotation experiment exposed City’s squad vulnerabilities, with substitutes like Haaland nearly scoring in the dying minutes but unable to make the save.
This could lead to the early return of players who have been rested in Premier League matches (e.g., against Leeds), but could also cause fatigue for other teams. For Leverkusen, it reinforces Schick’s good form (scoring in consecutive matches) and Flekken’s reliability, while also boosting confidence ahead of their Bundesliga title defense.
Broader context: The result adds to a busy fifth matchday, where English sides split their results (Chelsea beat Barcelona 3-0, Newcastle lost 2-1 to Marseille). It also highlights the resurgence of German clubs, with Leverkusen unbeaten in their last three Champions League away matches against English teams.
This upset serves as a stark reminder for City that even the weakest opponents demand respect; there is no room for complacency in a revamped 36-team format where every point counts.
Guardiola admitted after the match: “Too many changes; I take full responsibility,” indicating a tactical recalibration to balance rotation with competitiveness. It’s a minor setback in their dominant era (unbeaten in 24 of their last 25 against German sides), but consecutive defeats could test the team’s cohesion if left unaddressed.
For Leverkusen, it’s validation of Hjulmand’s project: disciplined defending, precise counter-attacks, and capitalizing on mistakes that turned underdogs into heroes. As one fan noted: “Leverkusen is no longer a small club.” Hopefully, this will fuel a longer run, possibly mirroring their unbeaten 2023/24 Bundesliga campaign. Overall, it underlines the unpredictability of the Champions League, demonstrating that on any given night, form and hunger can bring down giants.
