Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made 10 changes against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last night.
Guardiola left talisman Erling Braut Haaland on the bench alongside Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Nico Gonzalez was the only survivor from the defeat at Newcastle United as the Spanish tactician handed starts to Oscar Bobb, Savio and Nathan Ake.
The lack of cutting edge and cohesion showed, as Man City succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium, making it back-to-back losses.
Leverkusen sliced through Man City in the 22nd minute, executing a brilliant move that ended with left-back Alejandro Grimaldo lashing a fierce hit into the back of the net.
City created dangerous moments, but could not beat Mark Flekken in the Leverkusen goal.
Grimaldo was involved in the second as Patrik Schick glanced a header into the net in the second half to seal City’s defeat.
Guardiola admitted that the upheaval in the starting line-up cost them, even though he was adamant before the game that his side needed fresh legs.
When asked whether the rotation cost his team, he said (via TNT Sports): “I understand your question. “Absolutely, I have to accept it. I have to accept that if we win, it will not be a problem.
“I accept that maybe it’s a lot, but I think they’re playing every two or three or four days, we need to – but maybe it’s too much. Seeing the result, maybe it’s too much.”
Thankfully, City remain in sixth place in the league phase standings, although things could change after other games.
However, the result puts into perspective that City’s squad may not be strong enough to challenge for major titles.
After the heavy summer spending, many people expected Guardiola’s side to be back in the frame for top honours, but they are clearly not there yet.
Guardiola’s rotation was designed to protect his stars and preserve energy for the run-in, yet it exposed just how far this group is from functioning as a title-winning unit.
City must rediscover their sharpness and identity before this season slips away from them
