Manchester City

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City will hope for a much-improved performance and all three points as they host 18th-placed Leeds on Saturday (15:00 GMT). BBC Sport explores the key themes ahead of this clash.

'Too many changes'

It's been a week to forget for City who have suffered back-to-back defeats for the second time this season, with Pep Guardiola taking "full responsibility" for the latest of those in midweek.

Guardiola's decision to make 10 alterations to his side on his 100th Champions League game in charge of the club backfired as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Bayer Leverkusen.

"Too many changes," admitted the 54-year-old in his post-match press conference. "It was the first time in my life I've done it and it was too much."

Haaland's hundred

Erling Haaland was one of those rested on Tuesday and he will surely start this weekend as Guardiola seeks to return to winning ways. The Norwegian is one shy of 100 Premier League goals and it would be fitting if his landmark strike came against a club for which he has strong feelings.

Haaland was born in Leeds as his father, Alf-Inge, played 92 times for the West Yorkshire side between 1997 and 2000 and the City goal machine often wore a Leeds kit as a child. The 25-year-old scored twice at Elland Road in a 3-1 victory in December 2022 and his celebrations were subdued. He explained afterwards that it was due to his respect for the opposition.

Should Haaland find the net on Saturday, then he would top an illustrious list as the fastest player to reach a century of Premier League goals, achieving the feat in 14 fewer appearances than the division's all-time top scorer, Alan Shearer.

City will take confidence from the fact that they have won 23 of their past 25 Premier League games against promoted opposition, drawing the other two. However, the last time they lost to a top-flight newcomer was at home to Leeds United in April 2021.

Leeds better than results suggest

Three successive Premier League defeats and five in their past six games has increased the pressure on Leeds boss Daniel Farke.

Fans appear divided on the German coach's future and although he has credit in the bank after last season's 100-point title success in the second tier, he is swiftly using that up.

Leeds have scored first in the past two matches but have been unable to convert those leads into points and they are the second-lowest scorers in the league, with 11 goals from 12 games.

However, the underlying stats suggest that Leeds are playing like a mid-table side and, according to Opta's model, they should have scored four more Premier League goals and conceded almost six fewer.

Leeds have a better expected goals total than Tottenham, Aston Villa and Sunderland this season and lower expected goals against than Spurs and Manchester United.

Farke also has previous when it comes to defeating Guardiola's City. His newly promoted Norwich side defeated the Sky Blues 3-2 back in September 2019.

The 49-year-old could become just the second manager to beat the Citizens while in charge of two different promoted clubs following Bryan Robson, who did so twice with Middlesbrough in 1995-96 and once with West Bromwich Albion in 2004-05.

City are a different beast these days, however, and if Farke can mastermind another victory at the Etihad, it would certainly dwarf Robson's achievements.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Etihad Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Guardiola confirmed midfielder Rodri remains out with the hamstring injury he suffered in October, but he is "not far" from a return.

• On how he is feeling after back-to-back defeats: "Not that disappointed about Newcastle. But last one [against Bayer Leverkusen], yeah. I made decisions and we didn't try."

• He added: "In football you have to try things and we didn't try. You have to rotate. I have a lot of confidence in them - I have huge value in them as football players. Maybe it is higher what I think than they do themselves."

• Asked more about his comments on the team not trying, he responded: "I think they played to not make mistakes, not to do something and that is so difficult. In football, you have to play. In defence, you have to try and if you lose in your actions, you did it. They played to be safe. That is why it is difficult."

• The City boss acknowledged the "distance is already there" between themselves and a "so strong" Arsenal: "We see it game by game they are getting better and better as a team."

• On the future of Bernardo Silva: "I want the best from Bernardo and if he wants to stay, I will be more than delighted. But I don't talk about that subject with him. I want the best for his family. He has been here nine years and he will decide with the club what's best."

• On whether he has any worries about City relying too heavily on Erling Haaland for Premier League goals: "Not the main concern but in general in the last game, we did many good things. Of course, Erling is massively important but others are as well."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Man City v Leeds from 15:00 GMT on Saturday on BBC Sounds

You can also listen to more from Guardiola here

Leeds United have enquired about re-signing Kalvin Phillips on loan from City but a deal is unlikely to happen, leaving the midfielder to consider offers from France, Spain and Germany. (Mirror), external

Manchester United have made contact with the representatives of unsettled Vinicius Jr, and neighbours Manchester City are likely to join them if he decides to leave Real Madrid. (The Daily Briefing, via Caught Offside), external

However, the Brazil forward has moved closer to signing a new contract with the La Liga club after reducing his wage demands. The 25-year-old's current deal runs until June 2027. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Liverpool face the dilemma of making a move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo in January or waiting until the summer, when City are expected to join the race for the 25-year-old Ghana international. (i Paper), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

This is Manchester City's worst start to a season for five years and their second-worst under Pep Guardiola.

City are third in the Premier League table with 22 points from 12 games, which is just a point fewer than they had at this stage last season.

Interestingly, City did win the title with just 20 points after 12 games in 2020-21, but there was arguably not a title rival like Arsenal to catch that season because Tottenham and Liverpool were at the top with just 25 points.

The most points they have had at this stage under Guardiola is 34 during the title-winning 2017-18 season.

Emily Brobyn
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Having been thumped last season by Real Madrid in the Champions League play-offs last season, Manchester City had enjoyed a positive start to their campaign this time round.

Unbeaten and sitting pretty in fourth spot before last night, one might have been inclined to think boss Pep Guardiola would keep the ship steady.

Visitors Bayer Leverkusen had a point to prove with just one win so far and stuck in 21st. Kasper Hjulmand's side have been scoring for fun in the Bundesliga recently – and were ready to unleash their firepower in Europe.

So it was not a night for experiments or wholesale changes – but Pep decided to make 10 alterations to the side that lost in the Premier League at Newcastle. Not so much plain sailing, but a tsunami for City.

The Champions League is not a competition to rotate so heavily. It was not disrespectful to Leverkusen, but it did hand them an advantage. Disruption and lack of rhythm was to be expected with so many changes.

You would think a manager taking charge of his 100th Champions League game for the club would have the foresight to recognise the threat Leverkusen pose and guard against it with gentle tweaks.

With rotation comes opportunity though and almost all failed their audition. There is huge concern about our squad depth and whether players like Rico Lewis, Savinho and Oscar Bobb can bring the quality City need to fight on all fronts for silverware this season.

The mesmeric was replaced by mediocrity – and the lack of fight from most was seriously damning.

As for Pep? All the best geniuses are flawed. Making five substitutes by the 65th minute showed he recognised the error of his ways. He has admitted as much – but with a trip to the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid up next, Guardiola did not have to make life so difficult for himself.

Maybe that is what he thrives on, but sometimes a safe passage would be the wisest course of action instead of unnecessary anarchy.

Emily Brobyn is regularly on BBC Radio Manchester - find all their Man City audio here

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City should "not panic" after being stunned at home by Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League to suffer back-to-back defeats.

Boss Pep Guardiola made 10 changes to the side that lost at Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday but it backfired with a 2-0 reverse at Etihad Stadium.

The Spaniard took "full responsibility" for the result and said the number of changes made were "maybe too much".

Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders now feels it is a time for calm heads.

"We should not panic now," said the Dutchman. "Of course losing two times in a row is not a good thing but we know there are still plenty of chances this season and we have to go game to game.

"You're not playing a lot of times with each other, but we're playing for Manchester City so it shouldn't be a problem because if you play here you have quality. We have to show, it was too little today what we showed."

City will aim to put things right on Saturday when they host strugglers Leeds United.

Reijnders added: "Mentally we have to be ready. We know what we can do and what we showed before. It's on us to do that again.

"Don't lose the confidence because we have a lot of quality in the team."

Hear more from Reijnders on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts on Manchester City's defeat by Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Here are some of your comments:

Chris: Why? We were trying to recover from Newcastle and the Champions League is a big deal - it is not the Carabao Cup. We were toothless, then desperate, then panicky. All possession and no punch. I really hope Pep Guardiola accepts the blame and apologises. It is arrogant and disrespectful to a good team who beat us comfortably.

John: Typical Guardiola to play a weaker starting XI instead of the strongest. He should get the game won then bring on substitutes. He is just too cocky in his attitude. He keeps doing the same thing and always comes unstuck.

Rodrique: Guardiola made a big mistake by not selecting a strong line-up at home. With the new format of the Champions League, every game at home is a must-win. Now we are in a bitter situation to qualify in the top eight. It's going to be difficult to do it because away from home, we struggle to win.

Al: A real lack of energy, intensity and creativity from the city players. Tijjani Reijnders, Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and in particular Savinho, showed no passion or fight. Terrible to watch.

Peter: Pep's team was outclassed and he needs to realise his team aren't as good as he thinks. Looks like another trophyless season. The good times at Etihad Stadium are over.

John: The great man got it horribly wrong! Team lacked leadership and direction. They went sideways more times than a crab!

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown says Pep Guardiola's squad rotation gave Bayer Leverkusen the "belief" needed to secure a memorable win at Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola made 10 changes to the side that lost at Newcastle on Saturday but the decision backfired as City slumped to a second consecutive defeat.

"It's obvious City won't perform to the level that's expected when Guardiola makes all of those changes," Brown told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "But I'm sure he felt his side had enough to go on and win that game with that side. That's the problem really.

"It started quite comfortably for City, moving the ball around with ease, playing attack versus defence. But, it was side to side, back and forth, without any real clinical side to it. There was no real pace or power or somebody brave enough to go through players to make something happen.

"They got countered a few times and you could see that first goal gave the visitors a real lift. Leverkusen were composed when they had to be, sat back and waited, and then countered when they were ready.

"It was a top-class away performance. Pep reacted very quickly at half-time with the three substitutions but they just couldn't find their way.

"It was flat, a little bit lacklustre, and you could feel it around the whole stadium. There was almost an expectation things were going to be routine but Pep making all those changes to his starting XI gave the away side a massive lift.

"If you walk onto the pitch and look across at all those players sat on the bench, you think you've got a great chance, and it gives you that belief.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is concerned about an over-reliance on Norway striker Erling Haaland, 25, so will consider rivalling Liverpool for Bournemouth's 25-year-old Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola said on Friday that the season started then, following the conclusion of the last international break of the year, but Manchester City are yet to get going since the resumption.

They would have been expected to bounce back after suffering defeat at St James' Park at the weekend, but the Spaniard made a glut of changes to his starting line-up, much to the surprise of most in attendance at Etihad Stadium.

It led to a disjointed showing from the English side and fringe players such as Omar Marmoush, Oscar Bobb and Savinho failed to take the opportunity offered to them in the front three.

Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki were all introduced in the second half as Guardiola attempted to rescue a result, but their run of 13 consecutive home victories against German opposition in this competition abruptly came to a halt.

With three league phase games remaining, this could prove to be a damaging loss for City, dropping them down to sixth in the table. They will find themselves out of the top eight if results go against them in Wednesday's fixtures, dropping at least for now into the places that go into a playoff round rather than straight through to the last 16.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola spoke to TNT Sports after his side's defeat to Bayer Leverkusen: "I take full responsibility, still I think the players that started were exceptional players but we missed something needed at the highest level. We now have to fight for the next games."

On what was missing: "They [Leverkusen] were good, in general we did very good things as well, we had more chances than them, but they were half-chances always with blocks or something there so we didn't have that belief where it was a moment to attack or a moment to defend, it was about being present and having the determination to say 'okay I'm going to make a movement'. Sometimes it happens."

On making 10 changes to the starting XI: "I have to accept it. If we win, it wouldn't be a problem so I have to accept that maybe it's a lot but I think playing every two or three days we need to [make changes] but seeing the result, maybe it's too much."

On facing Real Madrid next in the Champions League: "We have time."

Hear more from Guardiola on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Manchester City's performance

Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has sprung a surprise with his starting line-up tonight, taking charge of the club for the 100th time in the Champions League.

Star striker Erling Haaland and number one goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma are on the bench as the Spaniard makes 10 changes to the side that lost at Newcastle on Saturday.

James Trafford starts in goal and the likes of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Oscar Bobb and Savinho all come in, with John Stones captaining the side and Omar Marmoush playing up front.

Needless to say, it's a very strong bench should things not be going City's way.

Man City XI: Trafford, Khusanov, Stones, Ake, Ait-Nouri, Lewis, Gonzalez, Reijnders, Bobb, Savinho, Marmoush.

Bayer Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjulmand gives a start to former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, while former Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken is between the sticks.

On-loan City midfielder Claudio Echeverri has found minutes had to come by this season and is once again on the bench alongside former Burnley man Nathan Tella.

Bayer Leverkusen XI: Flekken, Quansah, Bade, Grimaldo, Belocian, Maza, Garcia, Tillman, Poku, Kofane, Schick.

There are nine games in the Champions League on Tuesday, including three involving Premier League clubs, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Ajax v Benfica (17:45)

• Galatasaray v Union Saint-Gilloise (17:45)

• Bodo/Glimt v Juventus

• Borussia Dortmund v Villareal

• Chelsea v Barcelona - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester City v Bayer Leverkusen - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Marseille v Newcastle United

• Napoli v Qarabag

• Slavia Prague v Athletic Club

Kick-offs at 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Barcelona" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Bayer Leverkusen", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Erling Haaland is a phenomenal goalscorer, but even the best have an off day in front of goal, and he had one of his worst on Saturday against Newcastle.

Only once has Haaland been more wasteful - based on xG - in a Premier League game than he was at St James' Park and that was in May 2023 at Brighton.

The problem is that City cannot afford for him to have an off day this season as they have never been more reliant on him.

Haaland has scored 58% of their goals, taken 30% of their shots and had 57% of their xG - which are all significant increases on previous Premier League seasons.

That is perhaps to be expected given he is one of the best strikers in the world and Pep Guardiola will want him to have as many opportunities as he can, but are City putting too many eggs in the Norwegian's basket?

The stats would argue, yes.

The goals, shots and xG of Haaland compared to City as a whole, show they are the most 'one-man' team in the Premier League this season.

Behind them for the most goals are Brentford and Igor Thiago at 50%; for shots are West Ham and captain Jarrod Bowen at 23% and for xG it is Crystal Palace and their striker Jean-Philippe Mateta at 41%.

Manchester City need Haaland to be ruthless and clinical if they are to win games, or a wider goal effort from the team if Haaland is having 'one of those days'.

Freddie Pye
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Rewind to the summer transfer window, and Manchester City were battling to keep hold of Savinho amid talk of an eye-watering £70m valuation potentially being matched by Tottenham.

That was off the back of a debut season for the Brazilian at Etihad Stadium that failed to set the world alight in terms of goal contributions, but one that certainly showed plenty of promise and a staggering wealth of natural ability likened to the legendary Riyad Mahrez.

City's faith in Savinho, in addition to their successful fight to hold off interest from north London, was further cemented by the decision to reward the winger with a new contract running until the summer of 2031.

Now, some fans can't stand the sight of him, whether that is coming on from the bench or named in the starting line-up. But how has it gone so wrong? And how has that happened so fast for arguably one of the most highly rated wingers in the game, and one that Manchester City quite clearly believe has a huge part to play in their future?

Savinho seems entirely lacking in confidence at the moment. There is a hesitancy about his game in some situations, and simultaneously an over-greed and urgency to try to make something happen when too often the simple pass or link-up with team-mates would be the more logical choice.

Then you look at elements of his own body language when he is granted opportunity to change a game by Pep Guardiola, which was the case at St James' Park. There is a lack of fight or hunger to win the ball back at times and he can at times be seen blaming team-mates for his own flaws or misplaced passes.

Are we looking at a case of a player who simply doesn't have the quality to perform at the very highest level of the game? Is this a talent who doesn't have the attitude when things are going wrong? Or are we missing something entirely that Manchester City quite clearly see?

Something needs to change. Goal contributions and star performances need to be delivered - and fast - or we could be demanding a brutal reassessment of Savinho's place in this Manchester City side come next summer.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

Midfielder Bernardo Silva is likely to leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the season. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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