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There had, Pep Guardiola stated, been “extra disappointments than good moments” within the Champions League with as he ready to take cost of this, his a hundredth recreation within the competitors for the membership.
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He will definitely not look again on this specific milestone, in what finally felt a little bit like an act of self-sabotage, with any nice fondness.
Guardiola had gambled together with his choice and it got here again to hang-out him, Bayer Leverkusen claiming a deserved victory by way of targets from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick so as to add a little bit extra jeopardy to subsequent month’s journey to Actual Madrid.
Victory would have taken Metropolis nearer to automated qualification for the Champions League spherical of 16 with three video games to play so it was shocking and, in reality, plain odd to see Guardiola making 10 adjustments to his facet at this level within the group stage towards the third-best facet within the Bundesliga this season.
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Metropolis regarded like what they have been: a bunch of gamers not used to taking part in often collectively. Pedestrian, sluggish, one-paced and never even the arrival of the massive weapons within the second half may flip the tide.
What was Guardiola pondering? It was not as if Metropolis are taking part in Arsenal this weekend or had a decent Wednesday night-Saturday lunchtime turnaround or his gamers have been on their knees after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United.
All of it felt so unnecessary and a smattering of boos greeted the ultimate whistle on an evening when the group was in any other case as flat because the group. Guardiola was at the very least sincere sufficient to confess he obtained it incorrect. “I take full accountability,” the Metropolis supervisor stated. “Too many adjustments. I at all times had the idea it’s a protracted season and everybody needs to be concerned however possibly it was an excessive amount of. It was the primary time in my life I’ve achieved it and it was an excessive amount of.
“I take accountability however I noticed them and I like everybody to be concerned. When you’re a soccer participant and don’t play for 5, six, seven video games it’s robust however possibly it was an excessive amount of.
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“At all times I prefer to be too good and contain everybody as a result of I’ve the sensation after the worldwide break there are video games each three or 4 days and there’s no human being who can maintain that. We have been at dwelling, in a superb place within the Champions League and I believed ‘let’s attempt to let’s have weapons on the bench’. It didn’t work and now we have to just accept it.”
Erling Haaland, introduced on with 25 minutes to go, had just a few good sights of purpose and possibly ought to have achieved higher when launched by fellow substitute Phil Foden however couldn’t spherical goalkeeper Mark Flekken. But Leverkusen have been good worth for the three factors and so Metropolis should journey to the Bernabéu now with a little bit extra using on the sport than their followers would have hoped.
Erling Haaland was named on the bench as Guardiola made 10 adjustments from the Manchester Metropolis group that misplaced at Newcastle – Reuters/Peter Powell
There’s at all times the danger whenever you make so many adjustments of a disconnect within the group and that’s the way it turned out for Metropolis. They barely managed to piece collectively an assault of word within the first half and, even by the tip, Leverkusen by no means regarded beneath critical duress.
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“We’d like recent legs, minds,” Guardiola had stated earlier than kick-off however as a substitute the disruption led to a turgid, tepid show. Metropolis have been alarmingly flat and that transmitted to the group, who looked like being disinterested by the entire thing.
Omar Marmoush tried to rally the followers within the thirty sixth minute, beckoning them to make some noise, and for just a few transient moments there was a flicker of exercise nevertheless it was short-lived. Nathan Aké pressured a good save early on after Leverkusen struggled to clear their strains from a nook and Flekken, the previous Brentford goalkeeper, additionally denied Tijjani Reijnders simply earlier than the interval.
Manchester Metropolis’s Tijjani Reijnders makes an attempt a shot at purpose – PA/Nick Potts
However in between occasions this was extra in step with the unsure Metropolis of final season and the flurry of adjustments within the second half was inevitable. Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis and Rayan Ait-Nouri have been those sacrificed at half-time and none of them may have any complaints. Marmoush, invisible on the night time, didn’t final for much longer.
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Leverkusen have been completely satisfied to maintain it tight and choose their moments to assault and once they did so that they did so with tempo and function.
There was no higher instance of that than Grimaldo’s purpose, the ball moved from again to entrance at pace and with precision even when Guardiola may have been dismayed by simply how a lot house his opponents have been afforded. Malik Tillman ended up spraying the ball out to Ernest Poku on the fitting and his cross was laid off by Christian Kofane from which Grimaldo drilled a candy left-foot strike low into the nook.
Guardiola hoped for a fast response within the second half solely to see Leverkusen rating once more after extra passive defending from Metropolis. The superb Ibrahim Maza had far an excessive amount of time and house to select a cross for Schick to attain.
Patrik Schick celebrates after scoring Bayer Leverkusen’s second purpose – Getty Pictures/Carl Recine
Not that Aké lined himself in glory. Lurking behind the Metropolis defender and forward of Nico O’Reilly, the Leverkusen striker muscled his means far too simply in entrance of Aké to ship a glancing header into the nook, past the attain of James Trafford, deputising for Gianluigi Donnarumma in purpose.
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Haaland watched on from close to a nook flag, probably questioning when he could be introduced on to attempt to assist salvage a recreation that was getting away from Metropolis.
Twelve minutes later because it occurred. However not even the massive man may rescue issues for Metropolis.
10:32pm
Work to do for Manchester Metropolis
They have been crushed by a fearless, composed and skilful Bayer Leverkusen facet who made essentially the most of their probabilities. Ex-Brentford man Mark Flekken was at his greatest behind the sticks too.
Thanks for studying, that’s it from me.
10:29pm
‘Possibly ten adjustments was an excessive amount of’: Pep Guardiola talks to TNT Sports activities
“Properly, it was not the efficiency we thought. I take full accountability, I nonetheless assume they’re distinctive gamers however we missed one thing that we wanted within the excessive degree. Now now we have to struggle for the subsequent video games.
They have been good, and did additionally superb issues. We had probabilities, we had greater than them, however half-chances, at all times with blocks or slips, at all times one thing there. We didn’t have the idea that it’s the second to assault, the second to defend. Generally it occurs.
[Asked whether he regrets making ten changes] I perceive your query. I’ve to just accept it. If we win, it wouldn’t be an issue. I settle for it possibly be so much, however we’re taking part in each 2 or 3 days… however seeing the end result, possibly it’s an excessive amount of.”
10:24pm
Man Metropolis’s remaining league section fixtures
Oof, that’s fairly a run-in. Bodo/Glimt on an astroturf pitch in deep Norwegian is not any simple match. Metropolis will seemingly be striving as much as their closing match to make it into the highest 8 and achieve automated qualification to the spherical of 16.
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10:18pm
Tonight’s Champions League outcomes
Borussia Dortmund 4 Villarreal 0
Manchester Metropolis 0 Bayer Leverkusen 2
Marseille 2 Newcastle United 1
Slavia Prague 0 Athletic 0
10:17pm
Watch: Grimaldo’s sweetly-struck opener for Leverkusen
The Leverkusen captain took that very nicely.
10:15pm
At the least no digicam operators have been harmed tonight
Pep Guardiola cuts a disconsolate determine after his facet’s defeat to Bayer Leverkusen – UEFA/Alex Livesey
10:11pm
‘Lots of character, grit and no worry’: Jarell Quansah speaks to TNT Sports activities
The 22-year-old ex-Liverpool centre-back confirmed his class tonight. Thomas Tuchel can’t have failed to note that end result or his efficiency.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. Coming into tonight, we had a variety of senior gamers who have been absent, across the dressing room for various causes. The best way the boys pulled by way of, everybody led tonight and I feel that’s what we wanted, a variety of character and grit.
In fact, they’ve obtained world-class high quality, even the gamers who began are world class, taking part in for his or her nations. It was at all times gonna be a tricky ask once they got here on and we defended a bit deeper than I’d have favored however we obtained the win.
We’re a totally new group. Lots of senior gamers final 12 months went and a variety of gamers needed to step up. We’ve obtained a lot high quality, a lot youth. I feel we needed to attempt to implement how we wish to play the sport, and we did that.
At occasions, with younger gamers, we’ve obtained no worry. It’s an enormous event, among the lads’ largest video games. Taking part in within the Champions League is an opportunity to show your self, and also you noticed the extent tonight.
The transfer has been actually good, I really like town the place I’m staying. Its very nice, refreshing, studying a brand new language.
[On his hopes of World Cup selection] It’s each boy’s dream to play for his or her nation within the World Cup. It’s about what I do from now until March, all the pieces I do will probably be on the membership. The higher I play on the membership, the higher I’ll do sooner or later.”
10:02pm
The Bayer Leverkusen group bounce for pleasure with their followers
They have been composed, elegant and obtained their ways proper. Keep watch over Leverkusen on this match. Primarily based on that show and their seasons to date, the likes of Grimaldo and Tillman might be transferring to larger groups this 12 months too…
Leverkusen gamers rejoice a well-known victory – PA/Nick Potts
09:59pm
What now for Metropolis?
The dangerous choice gambit from Guardiola didn’t repay. James Trafford regarded nervy in purpose, Rayan Ait-Nouri left gaps on the again that have been uncovered and Omar Marmoush is actually no Haaland.
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Subsequent up within the competitors, they’ve Actual Madrid away. Pep has historical past there, to say the least. Come away empty-handed there and they are going to be in peril of not ending within the Champions League high eight, subsequently not qualifying routinely for the spherical of 16.
Within the short-term, they face Leeds United on the Etihad on Saturday. Three factors could be a welcome finish to their two-game dropping streak.
09:55pm
The Leverkusen gamers savour the sensation
The Leverkusen facet are sat in entrance of the away finish, taking within the second as one extremely leads the chants. Because the followers bounce up and down, the boys in black dance on the sector. What a end result for Kasper Hjulmand’s facet.
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Metropolis haven’t been crushed within the Champions League group stage at dwelling since 2018. They sit sixth within the desk on ten factors, Leverkusen transfer as much as thirteenth on eight factors.
09:51pm
Full-time: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
The Bayer Leverkusen followers are bouncing after a well-known, deserved victory. They have been affected person, well-organised and made essentially the most of their probabilities, transferring so slickly and speedily in counter-attack. Captain Alex Grimaldo and Patrik Schick scored positive targets. Tillman in attacking midfield was chic.
Pep Guardiola’s a hundredth Champions League recreation for Metropolis is one to overlook. He made 10 adjustments to their line-up, and it didn’t repay. Their B-string facet took far too lengthy to get stepping into a toothless first-half, and even the introduction of Haaland, Foden, Doku and Cherki couldn’t change the complexion of the sport.
09:48pm
90+2 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
A stat coming by way of on TNT Sports activities: Bayer Leverkusen would be the first German facet to win right here since Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich gained 3-1 in 2013.
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Into the ultimate 30 seconds. Manchester Metropolis have didn’t trend a clear-cut openin since their largest stars got here on and as Savinho appears to be like to run by way of, Belocian occasions it sort out completely.
09:46pm
89 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
Belocian provides the ball away to Haaland in midfield, however as he fees in the direction of purpose, his shot is blocked, the identical for Doku. It has been an almighty defensive effort from Hjulmand’s facet.
It takes a little bit luck in addition to elbow grease: defending a cross, Belocian slips beneath the ball and it spins half a yard behind him. Flekken falls gratefully on it.
Two minutes of added time.
09:44pm
87 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
Bayer Leverkusen are nearly there. Metropolis are working out of time and never changing their probabilities.
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Cherki has a possibility from an acute angle however Flekken diverts together with his ft for one more nook. Haaland assaults it, however misses the ball and Garcia wallops the ball down the pitch.
09:41pm
85 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
Rayan Cherki is fouled by Bade on the sting of the field as he strikes away from purpose, yielding a free-kick 25 yards from purpose. He curls it to the highest proper nook, simply the place Flekken is anticipating it, and the goalkeeper dives and punches the ball away.
09:38pm
82 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
The penalty field – certainly, your complete half – is congested, a sea of black-clad gamers throwing their our bodies left and proper. Doku tries to seek out house, jinking into the field, however a Leverkusen boot is the same as his shot. However, I really feel a purpose from the house facet is imminent.
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Tillman dawdles on the sting of his personal field, Cherki nicks the ball however sprays his shot low and nicely vast. Leverkusen make a sub.
Kofane → Tella
09:35pm
79 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
Yellow card for Kofane after hacking down Doku, who was reducing previous gamers on one other incisive run. It’s Doku versus Poku on the left as Metropolis come ahead.
They’re firing balls in, testing the defence. Reijnders finds Ake, however his looping header is straightforward for Flekken. Down the opposite finish, a speedy break of cross-field balls nearly finds Kofane, however Trafford is there.
09:33pm
77 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
Haaland has already had two probabilities. He is not going to want many extra. The Metropolis midfield is beginning to purr, with Foden and Doku linking up nicely. Leverkusen are beneath strain; Flekken almost items a move straight to a rival attacker.
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Stones pumps a ball ahead for Reijnders, and Belocian heads it out for a nook. Ake obtained there on the again submit, however a Leverkusen boot blocks and the ball is clubbed away.
09:29pm
73 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
The Leverkusen followers are leaping up and down, as Maza’s shot is deflected vast. They may but rating once more. They’ve been elegant and reducing of their attacking transition.
Nonetheless, Haaland (of all individuals) is fouled in the course of the nook and Metropolis can go up the opposite finish. It is going to be predominantly one-way site visitors for the remainder of this match. There are ten Leverkusen gamers behind the ball.
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Doku finds Haaland close to the penalty field with a neat cross from the left. He takes a contact again, leans again and skies the shot. Very not like him.
09:27pm
71 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
Flekken saves one-on-one from Haaland! He will get down to dam from the Norwegian, set into house on the sting of the penalty field. That was not a clear-cut goal-scoring likelihood although, he wanted to do very nicely from there.
09:26pm
69 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
Manchester Metropolis are rather more fluent with Foden, Haaland and firm linking up. Their main goalscorer almost has house to shoot because the England worldwide finds him.
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However down the opposite finish, Leverkusen break the road with ease and trend a quarter-chance. Grimaldo shoots from 25 yards out however whacks it into his personal participant, Schick, for offside. They’re so snug on the assault.
09:22pm
66 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
The group roars as Haaland trots on. Maintain onto your hats, this is not going to keep 2-0 for lengthy…
Reijnders has seemingly moved to right-back to permit Rayan Cherki extra freedom. The Dutchman stands up a looping ball from the sting of the field for the Norwegian, however he can’t get sufficient energy on his effort.
09:20pm
64 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
Sums up Metropolis’s night time as far as Reijnders’ ball comes by way of to Marmoush, nevertheless it goes beneath his proper foot, six yards out.
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Doku delivers a menacing ball in and Grimaldo has to move out for a nook. Metropolis go brief, however Tillman clears their strains. It’s time for the massive man. Two substitutes prepared and ready, right here they arrive:
Marmoush → Haaland
Khusanov → Cherki
09:17pm
60 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
Finish-to-end, as Marmoush tries to pressure his means by way of, however finds a black Leverkusen wall.
Then, Trafford comes out for a protracted ball and there may be nearly a mix-up with Stones, who had no thought he was there! The defender was not anticipating that in any respect, because the ball pings off the goalkeeper’s legs and out. Virtually a calamity.
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Grimaldo receives a yellow card for a cynical garments line transfer on Marmoush as he regarded to interrupt.
09:15pm
58 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2
Extra urgency for Metropolis now at the very least, no time to waste. An opportunity on the again submit for Savinho at an acute angle, who can’t do a Van Basten from there.
Absolutely it’s time to convey Erling Haaland on. Doku dodges and weaves on the left, looking for a team-mate however his ball goes straight to Garcia and Leverkusen can breath and have some momentse on the ball.
09:12pm
GOAL!
Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 2 (Schick) Leverkusen go up the opposite finish and ship a hammer blow on the counter.
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So calm and influential tonight, Tillman switches play to the far left. Patrik Schick moved behin marker Ake, then darted forward of him to fulfill Maza’s cross, nodding the ball to the left of James Trafford.
The Leverkusen ultras go wild because the Czech striker celebrates, and nicely they could. They’re 40 minutes away from a well-known victory. They’ve achieved a lot with their probabilities this night.
09:09pm
53 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 1
O’Reilly will get the ball 25 yards out and solely has one factor on his thoughts: shoot. It’s straight at Flekken, however that drew a roar from the increasingly-frustrated crowd.
09:08pm
50 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 1
Ten males behind the ball as Metropolis work the ball left and proper. Guardiola appears to be like involved on the touchline.
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Grimaldo and Poku can drop again to make it a five-man defence when Leverkusen need. A contender for England’s World Cup squad, Jarell Quansah has defended nicely too.
09:06pm
47 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 1
Doku dances previous just a few gamers on the left… then passes straight to Tillman. Man Metropolis have come out wanting extra purposeful and energetic, which isn’t too troublesome. They must beware the flowing counter-attacks from Kasper Hjulmand’s males although.
The ball breaks fortuitously for Tillman, who thinks about taking pictures earlier than establishing Grimaldo. His cross is blocked. Nook for Leverkusen, however they fail to beat the primary man.
09:03pm
Guardiola makes three adjustments
On come three reinforcements because the groups take to the pitch for the second-half. No delay from the Man Metropolis supervisor to show this match round.
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I believed Bobb had a good recreation, however these three will convey much more of a menace as they shoot in the direction of their dwelling finish.
Lewis → Foden
Bobb → Doku
Ait-Nouri → O’Reilly
08:54pm
Half-time: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 1
To this point, Guardiola’s much-changed group are taking part in just like the second string they’re, doing little or no for his or her probabilities of getting an everyday beginning berth. They’re missing tempo, dynamism and an finish product. Reijnders ought to have scored that likelihood on the finish of the half.
Leverkusen have been affected person, defended stoutly and regarded harmful on the counter, taking their purpose very nicely.
One imagines substitutions from his star-studded bench are on the best way after a bracing group discuss. What’s the Spanish for hairdryer remedy?
08:53pm
44 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 1
Massive likelihood for Reijnders and one other positive save from Flekken. Maza slipped as he moved into midfield, it was a gift-wrapped alternative. He superior into the field and two Metropolis runners saved Leverkusen occupied, however the shot was too near the goalkeeper.
08:44pm
43 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 1
Good save from Mark Flekken from a deflected shot from Bobb. The speedy Norwegian backed himself down the skin towards Grimaldo, whipped in a low cross-shot and the ex-Brentford man obtained right down to ship the ball out for a nook.
08:42pm
40 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 1
Loads of Pepball on present, conserving the ball, however few penetrating runs.
Metropolis nearly capitalise on a defensive error, as a Leverkusen defender passes straight to Gonzalez in midfield. Savinho can’t thread the ball by way of to the working Rico Lewis and unpick the defence.
08:37pm
37 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 1
Ait-Nouri cuts in goalwards, in search of directness. He performs a 1-2 with Reijnders however as he goes to shoot, he’s tackled and felled. No whistle from the referee and Leverkusen break.
Metropolis are lucky that Kofane confirmed an excessive amount of of the ball to Gonzalez, who nicked the ball off him. He has been all around the pitch, with Poku posing him questions in defence.
Gonzalez drifts over a ball in the direction of the again submit, however Marmoush can’t fairly get a foot to it.
08:34pm
34 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 1
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It has been a reasonably unimaginative first half hour from Metropolis, who’re very pedestrian and one-paced and caught in the identical gear. Leverkusen have been selecting their moments to assault and when they do it’s with tempo and function, their purpose being the right instance of that.
08:33pm
32 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 1
Savinho sends a ball over on the byline, however Marmoush is just a few beats late attacking it on the again submit and has to recuperate the ball. One can think about Haaland hanging excessive within the air to energy that dwelling. They’re missing the killer intuition up entrance, little doubt.
To this point, credit score additionally as a consequence of Leverkusen’s youthful again three of Quansah, Bade and Belocian, with their mixed age of 67.
08:30pm
27 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 1
James Trafford shakes his head, fingers on hips from John Stones after that purpose. They must come from behind to take all three factors now.
Schick and Tillman are combining nicely, the attacker dropping again and discovering house to mix. Leverkusen are taking part in with out worry for the time being.
08:25pm
GOAL!
Manchester Metropolis 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen (Grimaldo) Properly, they caught the house facet napping on the counter.
Attacking midfielder Tillman is on the centre of it, placing Maza into house in midfield. Kofane lays off his subsequent cross daintily together with his proper foot for the onrushing Alejandro Grimaldo who wallops it low previous Trafford’s despairing dive. No offside, although it was shut.
Khusanov ought to have been a little bit sooner closing down the left-back, maybe.
08:23pm
22 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 0
Give Bobb or Savinho an inch on their wings and they’re going to take a yard. These speedy attackers would be the key to a Metropolis purpose tonight one feels; the Norwegian has had some pleasure up towards Grimaldo to date.
Manchester Metropolis’s Rico Lewis (proper) and Jeanuel Belocian (left) mid-game – Reuters/Peter Powell
08:19pm
19 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 0
On a lightning counter-attack, the pacy Poku will get forward of Ait-Nouri, however the left-back recovers to dispossess him within the field with a toe poke. A couple of penalty shouts from the away finish, as he hauled him down afterwards, nevertheless it was not sufficient for the referee.
The sport has opened up. Down the opposite finish, Bobb feeds Reijnders who shoots nevertheless it bobbles and skitters harmlessly into Flekken’s arms.
08:17pm
16 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 0
Guardiola is a little bit agitated on the touchline, possibly he would favor a little bit extra directness. Metropolis try to stroll the ball into the online, there isn’t a tempo to the sport. After a minute or two of conserving the ball, Bobb pulls the set off with an inviting cross for Marmoush, however Flekken rightly will get there first.
Savinho pokes a ball by way of for Reijnders, however sprinting to maintain the ball in play, all he can do is flick it for a Leverkusen defender.
08:13pm
12 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 0
Quansah obtained his head to Khusanov’s cross, snuffing out the hazard.
Poku has the primary likelihood of the match, and it’s all made by a easy 1-2 on the left. Ait-Nouri is at full stretch to dam the younger Dutchman’s shot after a harmful low ball throughout. Sixes and sevens on the again there.
08:10pm
9 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 0
As the house facet transfer it forwards and backwards between defence and midfield, Leverkusen have hardly touched the ball. 73 per cent possession for Guardiola’s males. The guests will look to take in the strain and strike on the counter-attack.
After a sloppy move from Savinho, they get a while on the ball. Nonetheless, a slashed cross-field ball straight to Khusanov means Metropolis can flip defence into assault immediately.
08:06pm
6 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 0
A primary nook of the sport is whipped in by Reijnders. It goes deep to the again submit, falling to Bobb in a congested penalty space. He cuts it again to Ake who stabs it goalwards, however Flekken will get down nicely to parry it for a nook.
John Stones nearly meets Savinho’s supply, however a Leverkusen head will get on it.
First man Schick clears a poor third nook away, relieving the strain.
08:03pm
3 minutes: Manchester Metropolis 0 Leverkusen 0
Metropolis kick off and instantly settle into possession. Oscar Bobb turns Grimaldo neatly on the fitting and will get a yard of house, however his move supply is poor on the sting of the field as he seeks out Marmoush and the possibility is gone.
James Trafford has already had a few touches, taking part in out from the again.
08:01pm
KICK OFF!
Manchester Metropolis, in blue shirt and white shorts, are taking pictures with the North Stand behind them from left to proper. Leverkusen are taking part in in all black, with purple numbers.
08:00pm
Die Meister, die besten
The evocative strains of the Champions League anthem play earlier than the 2 groups line up and dap fingers in acknowledgement. Six inches taller, John Stones dwarfs Alex Grimaldo as the 2 captains trade pennants. There’s a shot of Haaland on the bench, no wooly hat wanted for this Norwegian.
07:56pm
Kick-off in 5 minutes…
These line-ups once more. Ten adjustments for Metropolis from their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle, giving their second tier an opportunity to struggle for normal locations:
Manchester Metropolis Trafford; Khusanov, Stones (c), Ake, Ait Nouri; Lewis, Gonzalez Bobb, Reijnders; Savio, MarmoushSubstitutes Bettinelli, Donnarumma, Dias, Haaland, Cherki, Doku, Silva, Matheus Luiz, Foden, O’Reilly, Gvardiol
Bayer Leverkusen Flekken; Quansah, Bade, Belocian; Poku, Garcia, Maza, Grimaldo (c); Tillman, Kofane; SchickSubstitutes Lomb, Echeverri, Ben Seghir, Tella, Jeremiah Mensah, Culbreath, Hawighorst, Pohl, Schlich, Naba Mensah
Referee Joao Pedro Pinheiro (Portugal)
07:51pm
This subs bench will take some beating
07:50pm
Guardiola: I wished to make 11 adjustments tonight
The Manchester Metropolis supervisor has been talking dwell to the TNT Sports activities cameras:
“I wish to change 11 however I don’t have the gamers to do 11 [changes]. We have now to do it collectively: there are a variety of video games, we want recent legs and everyone concerned. That’s why they’re Man Metropolis gamers, I’m excited in the present day for this line-up.
We’d like recent legs, thoughts, all the pieces, that’s why we begin with them. It’s a massive alternative in the present day to make an unimaginable step ahead, to qualify for the subsequent spherical.”
07:45pm
‘It’s harder for the time being’: Pep Guardiola talks to TNT Sports activities
Some VT within the wake of the Newcastle defeat:
“It hurts. They’d a variety of probabilities … when the gamers win, they’re completely satisfied. In the mean time, it’s harder, they’re unhappy. However that’s good, that’s wholesome. Think about in the event that they win or lose the sport and they’re feeling the identical.
The relation between gamers is phenomenal. They like to play soccer.
At present is an actual closing. If we’re in a position to take one thing away, we will probably be near qualifying from the primary stage.”
Pep Guardiola arrives on the Etihad Stadium forward of this night’s match – UEFA/Alex Livesey
07:40pm
Grimaldo pulling the strings for the guests
TNT Sports activities’ group are cooing over Spain worldwide Alex Grimaldo. Leverkusen’s left-back pops up all around the pitch, with top-quality set piece supply, tempo and ending ability too. The captain will in all probability have to defend extra towards Manchester Metropolis, however he has the standard to stun them down the opposite finish too.
07:36pm
The gamers are warming up on a freezing night in Manchester
James Trafford warms up forward of the match – Reuters/Peter Powell
A younger Man Metropolis fan within the stands. Any guesses who his favorite participant is? – Reuters/Peter Powell
07:28pm
A daring choice gamble by Guardiola
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It’s a courageous – and fairly a wierd and surprising – transfer by Guardiola to make 10 adjustments to the facet that misplaced at Newcastle on Saturday. It is vitally a lot Metropolis’s second string who will probably be taking over Bayer Leverkusen, and whereas it’s a facet nonetheless full of expertise and common internationals, it would probably encourage Leverkusen, who’re at present third within the Bundesliga and to not be underestimated.
Metropolis followers will hope the choice doesn’t backfire. On the flip facet, it’s an actual alternative for some Metropolis gamers who’re discovering it troublesome to get common (or any) taking part in time. James Trafford will hope for a superb present in purpose and ahead Oscar Bobb can even be out to impress.
Nathan Ake makes simply his fifth begin of the marketing campaign and Omar Marmoush will get the nod upfront. Nico Gonzalez is the one participant to maintain his place from the weekend.
07:22pm
Younger, hungry Leverkusen are not any pushovers
It isn’t fairly the Neuville-Ballack-Berbatov heyday of the early Noughties which noticed Leverkusen end as Champions League runners-up, however this can be a helpful, hungry younger facet.
After Erik Ten Hag’s nine-week tenure, Kasper Hjulmand has guided them into third place within the Bundesliga. The 2023-24 champions are already eight factors behind runaway leaders Bayern. They made the Champions League spherical of 16 final 12 months and will probably be no pushovers – though dropping key gamers like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Granit Xhaka was a blow final summer season. There was a variety of turnover in current seasons.
07:15pm
A 6-0 thumping for Metropolis over Leverkusen already in the present day
Sure, throughout Manchester, their under-19s overwhelmed their opponents within the UEFA Youth League. Six second-half targets too, with Reigan Heskey (son of Emile) on the scoresheet and a hat-trick for Divine Mukasa.
07:11pm
These line-ups in black and white
Manchester Metropolis Trafford; Khusanov, Stones (c), Ake, Ait Nouri; Lewis, Gonzalez Bobb, Reijnders; Savio, MarmoushSubstitutes Bettinelli, Donnarumma, Dias, Haaland, Cherki, Doku, Silva, Matheus Luiz, Foden, O’Reilly, Gvardiol
Bayer Leverkusen Flekken; Quansah, Bade, Belocian; Poku, Garcia, Maza, Grimaldo (c); Tillman, Kofane; SchickSubstitutes Lomb, Echeverri, Ben Seghir, Tella, Jeremiah Mensah, Culbreath, Hawighorst, Pohl, Schlich, Naba Mensah
Referee Joao Pedro Pinheiro (Portugal)
07:02pm
An indication of Metropolis’s strength-in-depth
Clearly, in his a hundredth Champions League recreation managing Manchester Metropolis, Guardiola hopes they will get previous Leverkusen with out want for giant weapons. Even their B-team packs some actual high quality.
Haaland, Foden, Nunes, Dias and Donnarumma are all on the bench if issues get a bit sticky. With the video games coming thick and quick earlier than Christmas, weary legs want resting too.
06:54pm
Leverkusen’s beginning XI
A extra anticipated XI from Bayer Leverkusen. Patrik Schick carries the principal attacking menace, whereas US worldwide attacking midfielder Malik Tillman is in good kind, scoring and aiding of their 3-1 win over Wolfsburg on the weekend.
Jarrell Quansah begins at centre-back. The ex-Liverpool man would little doubt like to be a part of inflicting an upset tonight.
06:49pm
Ten adjustments from Saturday’s line-up; Haaland benched
Speak about squad rotation: wholeshale adjustments produced from the group which began at Newcastle. James Trafford begins between the sticks, with captain John Stones again and Nathan Ake pairing at centre-back.
Oscar Bobb, Savinho and Omar Marmoush convey the attacking menace, which implies Erling Haaland will probably be a substitute.
06:39pm
Man Metropolis’s likelihood to maneuver nearer to the spherical of 16
Good night and welcome to our dwell protection of the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester Metropolis and Bayer Leverkusen.
It’s a likelihood for the 2023 champions to shortly put the stinging 2-1 Newcastle defeat behind them and get again to successful methods. If that occurs, the digicam operators filming Pep Guardiola beneath the Tuesday night time lights could nicely deem it protected to maneuver again inside arm’s attain. (The supervisor has for berating the digicam operator at St James’ Park).
Tonight, fourth within the Champions League faces the guests in twenty first place. Kasper Hjulmand’s males are on the up, scoring for enjoyable not too long ago within the Bundseliga. The Dane has righted the ship after the Erik Ten Hag’s whistle-stop stewardship this summer season, however coming away with the victory tonight could be fairly the feat.
Man Metropolis have performed seven, gained seven on the Etihad since dropping 2-0 to Tottenham on dwelling turf within the final week of August. Having run Borussia Dortmund ragged on the best way to a 4-1 shellacking three weeks in the past, the house group should have an excessive amount of for Leverkusen, even given the German facet’s buoyant kind. It’s all about ending high eight within the Champions League desk and advancing straight to the spherical of 16.
Rodri and Mateo Kovacic are nonetheless out, however there are not any recent accidents for Metropolis. Erling Haaland has gone *checks notes* a whole recreation with out scoring, so the prolific Norwegian will little doubt be trying to proper that egregious incorrect on the Etihad tonight.
Bundesliga purpose machine Patrik Schick provides Leverkusen’s most dependable menace. Then there may be the minor query of Claudio Echeverri – on mortgage from Metropolis to Leverkusen and eligible to play tonight, will he see any minutes? (In all probability not, based mostly on his lack of minutes and lukewarm shows within the few bits of motion he has seen).
Hold an eye fixed out for recently-departed Premier League alumni Mark Flekken and England worldwide Jarell Quansah on their return to those shores too.
Kick-off is at 20:00 GMT, the line-ups are coming quickly.