Pep Guardiola Urged to Make Ruthless Man City Decision After Leverkusen Loss
Manchester City supporters have seemingly seen enough of one player following Pep Guardiola’s side’s 2-0 home defeat against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League league phase.
Guardiola’s 100th Champions League game in charge of City was certainly one to forget. The Spaniard made 10 changes from the side that lost 2-1 to Newcastle in the Premier League on November 22, with Nico Gonzalez the only player to retain his place.
The home side came into the fixture unbeaten from their previous four European games this term, but were no match for the confident Bundesliga side.
On 23 minutes, the Germans counterattacked with Christian Kofane finding captain Alejandro Grimaldo, who drilled a first-time left-footed strike past James Trafford.
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The Premier League outfit struggled to get into the game and found it hard to put together telling passes consistently while Leverkusen remained a threat on the break.
And the away side’s smart play was rewarded on 54 minutes when Czech Republic international Patrick Schick glanced home Ibrahima Maza’s cross to make it 2-0.
Despite Erling Haaland being introduced with around 30 minutes left, Leverkusen took all three points back to Germany.
The result leaves City sixth in the 36-team league phase while Leverkusen are 13th after five matches.
Not many City players could walk out of the Etihad with their heads held high after a collectively lacklustre performance, but one player caught the brunt of the criticism from fans.
Brazilian winger Savinho played the full 90 minutes but showed very little in terms of quality and end product in the final third.
And fans were quick to offer their thoughts on social media.
One said: “Genuine 0/10 Savinho performance. It’s nearly December, and we’ve not seen even 1 moment that’s made me think that we were right not to sell him.”
Another added: “Oscar Bobb and Savinho as wingers offer nothing. No width, no threat, no end product. It’s painfully clear we need a proper right-winger in January if we want to win trophies this season!”
A third claimed: “Savinho actually makes my brain rot. His end product is genuinely the worst I’ve ever seen.”
While a fourth commented: “I hope the Savinho supporters are hiding after this shameful performance."
As a fifth joked: “Savinho is proof that you don’t have to be talented to make it at the professional level. He gives hope to all of us.”
City return to action at home against Leeds United on November 29 before they travel to Fulham on December 2.
Topics: Champions League, Football, Pep Guardiola, Premier League, Man City
Luke Davies