UCL Wrap: Guardiola gamble backfires, Chelsea dominate Barca

Published on

Pep Guardiola took the blame after his selection gamble backfired as under-strength Manchester City suffered a shock 2-0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Guardiola surprisingly rested the majority of his stars at the Etihad Stadium, with Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Gianluigi Donnarumma all left out of the starting line-up.

Leverkusen took advantage of a dismal display from Guardiola’s understudies as Alex Grimaldo put the Germans ahead in the first half before Patrik Schick netted after the break to spark grumbles of discontent from City fans at the final whistle.

For the first time in 24 games dating back to 2018, City were beaten at home in the Champions League prior to the knockout stage.

It was a second consecutive loss for City after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Newcastle in the Premier League.

“I take full responsibility, still I think the players that started were exceptional players but we missed something needed at the highest level,” Guardiola said.

“I have to accept it. It belongs to us. If we win it wouldn’t be a problem so I have to accept it that maybe it’s a lot of changes.

“I think playing every two or three days we need to make changes but seeing the result, maybe it’s too much.”

City have already lost four times in the Premier League this term to leave them seven points behind leaders Arsenal.

While their first Champions League defeat in five matches shouldn’t be fatal to their bid to reach the last 16, Guardiola will have absorbed the lesson that his reserves aren’t quite as formidable as he would hope.

Guardiola’s 100th Champions League match as City boss was a damp squib, in stark contrast to so many of the previous 99, which includes 62 wins and the club’s maiden European crown in 2023.

Guardiola said he felt “embarrassed and ashamed” after his on-pitch confrontation with a cameraman in the aftermath of the controversial defeat at Newcastle.

His players should be equally chastened after this lacklustre surrender.

Guardiola had named the same team for the previous three games, but that unusually consistent selection policy went out the window with 10 changes.

The move may have been influenced by the knowledge City face two games a week for most of December, a hectic run that includes a trip to Real Madrid in their next Champions League fixture.

“We had more chances than them, but they were half-chances. We now have to fight for the next games,” Guardiola said.

Nathan Ake almost put City ahead after just five minutes when the defender took Oscar Bobb’s pass from a half-cleared corner and smashed a close-range effort that forced a superb tip over from Mark Flekken.

But although City monopolised possession, they lacked a killer instinct and paid for a sloppy piece of defending in the 23rd minute.

Malik Tillman and Christian Kofane were allowed time and space to tee up Grimaldo, who finished with a flourish as he lashed a low drive past James Trafford from 12 yards.

It was the first time City had trailed in the Champions League this season and the response was far from emphatic.

Omar Marmoush struggled to fill in for Haaland, although Tijjani Reijnders should have hauled City level on the stroke of half-time when he straight at Flekken after bursting into the area.

Guardiola responded by sending on Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and Nico O’Reilly at the interval.

But City’s frailties in their revamped defence were exposed again in the 54th minute.

Ibrahim Maza curled an inswinging cross into the six-yard box and Schick muscled his way across the culpable Ake to glance a header into the far corner.

Guardiola finally introduced Haaland but after missing several big chances at Newcastle, he drew a blank again, fluffing his lines with a poor touch that allowed Flekken to save when he should have hit the target.

AfricaPicks: UEFA Champions League Round 5 day two – Louis’ Accumulator

Estevao scored a breathtaking solo Champions League goal to win the battle of the teenage prodigies against Lamine Yamal on Tuesday as Chelsea humbled 10-man Barcelona 3-0.

The two 18-year-olds were the focus of attention in the build-up to the game at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca urging his player to ignore the comparisons.

Estevao’s moment of magic came 10 minutes after half-time when he received the ball on the right before beating two defenders and lashing it into the roof of Joan Garcia’s net.

It was the 10th goal of the season for club and country for the winger, just months into his first campaign at Chelsea.

The Brazilian said it was the best moment of his career so far, in front of his watching family.

“I don’t really have any words to sum up how I’m feeling right now,” he told Amazon Prime.

“It really was the perfect night. I’m just grateful to God for everything that has happened for me. Onwards and upwards from here.”

Speaking about his spectacular goal, he said: “It all happened very quickly for me, it sort of happened before I knew it.

“I just found some space, wiggled my way through and then scored that goal. It was such a special moment for me in my career. I hope to score many more.”

Estevao’s goal gave Barcelona, already trailing 1-0 and down to 10 men, a mountain to climb and substitute Liam Delap put the game to bed in the 73rd minute, sidefooting home from close range.

The lopsided scoreline was just reward for two-time European champions Chelsea, who were superior from the first whistle against a pallid Barcelona team.

The game had started at a frantic pace.

Enzo Fernandez bundled the ball into the net in the fourth minute only for the goal to be ruled out due a handball by Wesley Fofana.

Two minutes later Ferran Torres seemed certain to score at the other other end when clean through with only Robert Sanchez to beat but he skewed wide.

The game then drifted before Chelsea again upped the tempo.

Fernandez again had the ball in the net but this time it was disallowed for an offside and moments later Pedro Neto blazed over the bar.

But the home side’s pressure finally paid off in the 27th minute following a short-corner routine.

The ball was eventually whipped into the box and Barcelona tied themselves in knots, Jules Kounde poking the ball into his own net.

The game took a decisive turn moments before half-time when Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo received a second yellow card for a poor challenge on Marc Cucurella.

Chelsea maintained their intensity in the second half and were richly rewarded with the goals from Estevao and Delap, while five-time Champions League winners Barcelona offered little.

The Stamford Bridge fans taunted the ineffective Yamal after Estevao scored and jeered when he was substituted late in the game.

UEFA: Maresca warns against Estevao’ “Messi” hype

Maresca’s men, back in the Champions League after two years away, have now won three of their first five games to give themselves a fighting chance of finishing in the top eight.

That would mean automatic qualification for the last 16.

The club are also picking up momentum in the Premier League, sitting second in the table ahead of Sunday’s home match against leaders Arsenal.

– AFP

Photo: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images

Post by

Mpusheng