Manchester City Manager, Pep Guardiola, has shouldered the blame for his team’s shock 2-0 Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.
He admitted his heavy squad rotation was a major error.
Guardiola made 10 changes from the weekend’s 2-1 Premier League loss to Newcastle United.
He left out key players, including striker Erling Haaland, who has 14 league goals this season.
No other City player has scored more than once in the league.
Guardiola conceded his selection gamble backfired.
“There were too many changes,” he said at the post-match press conference.
He noted the congested schedule influenced his decision to rotate.
“But maybe it was too much seeing the result,” he said.
“It’s the first time in my life I’ve done it, and it was too much,” Guardiola added.
The Spaniard defended his instinct, citing fatigue and international duties.
He said Haaland cannot play 95 minutes every three days.
Guardiola stressed the physical demands on players after the international break.
“There is no human being who can sustain it for that long,” he said.
He suggested Tuesday’s starters felt excessive pressure.
“They played to not make a mistake,” he said.
City’s defeat ended their 23-game unbeaten home run in Champions League group or league stages.
They sit provisionally sixth on 10 points after five matches.
The top eight teams after eight games qualify automatically for the last 16.
City next face Real Madrid on December 10.
Guardiola said he was not worried about their top-eight chances.
“We have time to prepare for Madrid,” he said.
