Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rico Lewis struggled as Man City were defeated 2-0 by Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Pep Guardiola made wholesale changes to his starting lineup, with Nico Gonzalez the only player to retain his place from the weekend's defeat to Newcastle. It meant Gianluigi Donnarumma, Phil Foden and Erlng Haaland all started on the bench.
City almost took an early lead when Nathan Ake forced a brilliant stop from Mark Flekken, while Ait-Nouri produced a key block at the other end to deny Ernest Poku. Leverkusen posed a constant threat on the break and took the lead midway through the first half when captain Alejandro Grimaldo drilled a low effort into the far corner.
Tijani Reijnders almost drew City level at the end of a dire first half, before Guardiola made a triple change at half-time. However, it was the away side who responded the best and they had a second when Patrik Schick headed in a second. Guardiola turned to his bench again with the introduction of Rayan Cherki and Haaland, but even they were unable to save them from a drab defeat.
Here is how we rated the City players against Leverkusen.
Nothing he could do about either of the goals. Poor distribution on a few occasions on what was a poor night.
1. James Trafford - 5
Nothing he could do about either of the goals. Poor distribution on a few occasions on what was a poor night. | Getty Images
A solid enough performance as the City captain. He defended okay and played the ball out under pressure.
2. John Stones - 6
A solid enough performance as the City captain. He defended okay and played the ball out under pressure. | Getty Images
Went close early on but didn't do enough defensively for his side. Beaten too easily by Schick for the second.
3. Nathan Ake - 5
Went close early on but didn't do enough defensively for his side. Beaten too easily by Schick for the second. | Getty Images
An uncomfortable moment for the Leverkusen goal. His delivery into the box was poor from the right-back role.
4. Abdukodir Khusanov - 5
An uncomfortable moment for the Leverkusen goal. His delivery into the box was poor from the right-back role. | Getty Images