Hayters Live Blog
This page will update live with the latest relevant news, no need to refresh the page!
Live updates as Man City face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola speaking to TNT Sports: “It is not the performance we wanted. I take full responsibility.
“We miss something that you need at the highest level. It was an incredible opportunity and now we have to fight for the next games.
“We did some very good things. We had chances.”
On making ten changes: “I understand your question. I have to accept it. If we win, it would not be a problem so I accept that maybe it’s a lot but we’re playing every two, three or four days.
“Maybe it was too much. Seeing the result, maybe it’s too much.”
Bayer Leverkusen and England defender Jarell Quansah on his side’s victory: “It’s an unbelievable feeling to be honest because coming into tonight, we had a lot of senior players absent even around the dressing room, so the way the boys pulled through, everyone led tonight and that’s what we needed. We needed a lot of character and a lot of fight and grit.”
A night of very few positives comes to an end for City and it is a dismal second defeat in a row.
Guardiola made ten changes and paid the price in the end.
Poku makes a mess of a clearance and almost puts it into his own net.
Flekken just manages to recover and claim it on his line.
Cherki strikes a free-kick wonderfully from the edge of the box.
It is heading for the top corner but Flekken produces another top drawer save to keep it out.
Kofane is replaced by Tella.
It has been attack versus defence for the past 15 minutes but the visitors are still hanging on.
Doku brilliantly dribbles through the Leverkusen midfield.
He is hacked down by Kofane, who sees yellow.
Another chance for Haaland and he again cannot find the right finish.
City are creating a lot more now but they need a goal soon.
City have threatened more since the attacking changes were made but they have also left huge gaps behind at the back.
Any time Leverkusen break forward they look like scoring and this could get worse yet.
Foden slides a brilliant ball through in behind for Haaland.
The Norwegian takes a touch but cannot beat Flekken on this ocassion.
Guardiola sends on Haaland and Cherki.
Marmoush and Khusanov are replaced.
Savinho skips past Grimaldo who brings him down and is shown a yellow card.
After letting a number of Leverkusen challenges go, the referee receives sarcastic cheers from the home crowd.
Ake clips a great ball in behind for Savinho.
However, from a tight angle, the Brazilian cannot find the finish.
Leverkusen strike again!
This time it is Schick with the goal and City look shellshocked.
O’Reilly tries his luck from range.
It is struck well but Flekken catches it.
Reijnders takes the kick off for the hosts and gets us underway in the second half.
Guardiola will hope to see real improvements after his triple change.
Foden, Doku and O’Reilly do all come on.
Lewis, Bobb and Ait-Nouri are all withdrawn at half-time.
Foden, Doku and O’Reilly have stayed out on the pitch to warm up during half-time.
Guardiola could be ready to make some changes.
The referee brings the first half to an end, and it has gone perfectly for the visitors. Leverkusen have played some nice football in patches but most importantly they have the lead.
The hosts have looked uninspired and nowhere near their usual levels. They are playing with a back four that have never played together, a midfield trio that have never started together and a front three that have never started together. As such it is little surprise that their play has been so disjointed and lacking in fluidity. Big improvements are needed after the break.
City’s best chance since falling behind comes after Leverkusen give up possession in a dangerous area.
Reijnders drives forward and strikes but Flekken keeps it out once again.
City have continued their lacklustre performance, as they struggle to cause any kind of problems for this Leverkusen defence.
An opportunity for some of Guardiola’s players to impress, they are certainly not taking it.
City are struggling to find a response after falling behind.
Guardiola has plenty of talent out there on the pitch, although they may not all be used to playing together.
Against the run of play, it is the visitors who take the lead.
A cross is not dealt with properly by City and Grimaldo arrives at the back post to fire home.
Reijnders takes the next shot at goal.
However the Dutchman’s effort is deflected and collected comfortably by Flekken.
City have dominated early proceedings but the visitors are starting to settle and grow into the game a bit.
Leverkusen moved the ball around nicely for a minute and got forward for the first time. The attack resulted in a Poku shot being deflected behind for a corner.





Live Comments
Welcome to our Live Comments section, where new comments will appear automatically
Add a Comment