Man City upset demonstrated Leverkusen´s ´huge potential´, says Hjulmand

Bayer Leverkusen showcased their “huge potential” with Tuesday’s Champions League upset of Manchester City, believes head coach Kasper Hjulmand.

Goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick in either half were enough to power Leverkusen to a surprise 2-0 victory at the Etihad, where City boss Pep Guardiola made 10 changes to his starting lineup.

Erling Haaland was among those rested as City named their second-youngest starting XI for a Champions League match, at an average age of 24 years and 353 days.

But Hjulmand said afterwards that City’s changes “made no difference” to the outcome of the match, having watched his team produce a staunch defensive display.

City outshot Leverkusen 19 to seven and won the expected goals (xG) battle by 1.78 to 0.51, but nine saves from former Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken helped the visitors to their second Champions League win of the campaign.

And Hjulmand, who took the reins in September after Erik ten Hag lasted just three games at the helm, believes his team have now set the standard for future performances.

“We are so happy with this win, but not only the win, but the character the team showed. I have great respect for the players, for the team we are,” he said.

“We are building a team here, and I think this night is a night to remember, and it’s fuel for our development. There’s huge potential.

“Of course, we had moments where we needed a little bit of luck and a very good goalkeeper.”

England international Jarell Quansah won three of his six duels – including two of three in the air – and had the third-most touches (76) of any Leverkusen player on the night.

The former Liverpool centre-back told TNT Sports: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. We needed a lot of character and a lot of fight and grit.

“We know they’ve got a lot of world-class quality and even the players that started tonight, we know they’re world-class players playing for their countries as well.

“It was always going to be a tough task when they [Haaland and company] came on. We defended a bit deeper than I would have liked to, but glad to get the win.”

Leverkusen, who sit third in the Bundesliga, now face a double header against Borussia Dortmund, with a league meeting on Saturday and a DFB-Pokal last-16 tie three days later.