Bayer Leverkusen delivered one of the biggest shocks of the European week, securing a sensational win in Manchester against a heavily rotated Manchester City side. Pep Guardiola fielded an experimental XI, keeping only González from his usual starters and leaving Erling Haaland on the bench — a decision the visitors fully exploited.

The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute. After a loose rebound fell invitingly inside the box, Alejandro Grimaldo reacted quickest and hammered a powerful strike past the goalkeeper to give Leverkusen the lead. City controlled possession, but their dominance had little impact against Leverkusen’s disciplined, compact, and impeccably organised defensive structure.

After the interval, Guardiola turned to his bench, introducing Phil Foden, Jérémy Doku, and Matt O’Riley. Later, Haaland stepped onto the pitch as well — but even with their attacking stars on the field, City could not break down the German side.

Leverkusen, meanwhile, were ruthlessly efficient. In a rare but clinical counterattacking moment, Martin Maža delivered a pinpoint cross, and Patrik Schick rose highest to guide a header into the net, doubling the visitors’ advantage to 2–0. Despite problems with the squad and a delay in arriving in England, Leverkusen played maturely and collected an important three points in the fight for the playoffs.

2025-26 UEFA Champions League

Manchester City - Bayer 04 0:2 (0:1)
Goals: Grimaldo, 23 (0:1); Schick, 54 (0:2)

Manchester City: Trafford; Stones; Ake; Aït-Nouri (O'Reilly, 46); Khusanov (Cherki, 65); Lewis R. (Foden, 46); Reijnders; Nico González; Sávio Moreira; Bobb (Doku J., 46); Marmoush (Håland E., 65)
Substitution: Foden (from 46); O'Reilly (from 46); Doku J. (from 46); Cherki (from 65); Håland E. (from 65)
Bench: Bettinelli; Donnarumma G.; Dias R.; Gvardiol; Bernardo Silva; Matheus Nunes

Bayer 04: Flekken; Quansah; Badé L.; Grimaldo; Aleix Garcia; Belocian; Maza; Tillman M.; Schick; Poku E.; Kofane (Tella, 82)
Substitution: Tella (from 82)
Bench: Lomb; Mensah; Echeverri; Ben Seghir
Yellow Cards: Grimaldo 60; Kofane 78