What was Pep thinking?! City pay price for benching Haaland & Co.

Goalkeeper & Defence

James Trafford (4/10):

Wasted an opportunity to show he ismore reliable than Gianluigi Donnarumma. Only faced two shots and let them both in although neither was easy to save. Had a moment ofmadness when he came rushing out of area and didn't let Stones know but escaped it unharmed.

Abdukodir Khusanov (5/10):

Brushed out of the way by Grimaldo and then didn't close him down quick enough. Didn't offer much going forward which is was as expected for a natural centre-back.

John Stones (6/10):

One of the few players who started who seemed to know what he was doing. Brought the ball forward well.

Nathan Ake (5/10):

Looked rusty in his first start club appearance in a month. Didn't spot Schick lurking behind him when he headed in the second.

Rayan Ait-Nouri (4/10):

Looked on a different page to his team-mates, lacking awareness defensively or creativity going forward. Predictably taken off at half-time.

Midfield

Tijjani Reijnders (5/10):

Didn't give City the composure they normally get from Bernardo Silva and he wasted their best opportunity of the first half, firing straight at Flekken inside the box.

Nico Gonzalez (6/10):

The only player to keep his place in the XI from Newcastle and just about justified it, giving City the stability in midfield which they lacked in most other areas.

Rico Lewis (4/10):

Feels like a shadow of the player he was just two years ago, unable to exert any control on the game or create any danger.

Attack

Savinho (5/10):

Erratic. Overhit passes and his shooting was wayward, hitting one attempt across the box and almost out for a throw-in.

Omar Marmoush (5/10):

Another sign that he is ill-suited to playing up front on his own and is better off on the wing. Did a very poor impression of leading the line and scuffed his one attempt.

Oscar Bobb (4/10):

Didn't make the most of a rare starting opportunity, playing stray final balls and making predictable runs.

Subs & Manager

Nico O'Reilly (5/10):

Gave the team more muscle and purpose but to no avail.

Jeremy Doku (5/10):

Injected some energy and daring but Leverkusen were all too aware of his threat and nullified him.

Phil Foden (5/10):

Sped up City's play but couldn't find any good openings.

Erling Haaland (6/10):

Gave City a focal point and ran in for a big chance soon after coming on but couldn't dribble round Flekken or keep the ball down when taking another shot on the turn.

Rayan Cherki (6/10):

Sparked City into life when he came on, testing Flekken from a free-kick and making things happen.

Pep Guardiola (4/10):

Making wholesale changes smacked of complacency and he was deservedly punished for not taking the game seriously enough.