Man City ‘didn’t try’ against Leverkusen, claims Guardiola

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City “didn’t try” in their Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen.

City were defeated 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, with Guardiola making 10 changes to the starting 11 that lost to Newcastle United last weekend.

Guardiola’s team did, however, produce 1.78 expected goals (xG) to Leverkusen’s 0.51and created three big chances.

Nevertheless, Guardiola stated that his side lacked initiative and confidence, something that he will learn from for the future.

“It is not about one result; it is in the performance. Of course, results help performances but I’m not very disappointed about Newcastle,” said Guardiola.

“The last one [against Leverkusen], yes, because of my decisions and because we didn’t try, it’s as simple as that. In football when you play on the green you have to try things and we didn’t try.

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“I think they played not to make mistakes, not to play to do something. It was a good lesson for me. As experienced as I am as a manager, it was a good lesson for me for the future.”

Next up for City in the Premier League is a fixture against Leeds United, and with Arsenal and Chelsea going head-to-head on Sunday. Guardiola’s side could move up to second in the league.

City have won their last four Premier League games against Leeds, scoring 16 goals in the process. It is as many victories as they had in their first 16 against the Whites in the competition (D5 L7).

Guardiola revealed that Rodri, who has missed eight of City’s last nine games with a hamstring injury, is “not far” from returning but will be absent for their match against Leeds.