Champions League Shock: Leverkusen Stuns Manchester City, Barça Suffers Defeat
In a stunning upset in the Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen defeated Manchester City 2-0 in the group stage’s fifth round. This match marked Manchester City’s first loss of the league phase.
Match Highlights
Played at Manchester’s home ground, City struggled without their top players. Leverkusen’s defense, led by goalkeeper Mark Flekken, proved impenetrable. Flekken notably thwarted a challenging attempt from Erling Haaland late in the game.
Leverkusen’s scoring opened in the 23rd minute when Alejandro Grimaldo netted the first goal. In the second half, Patrik Schick doubled the lead in the 54th minute. Both Grimaldo and Schick are leading scorers for the team this season, each having scored eight goals.
Barcelona Faces Defeat
FC Barcelona also faced disappointment in this match week, suffering a heavy 3-0 loss to Chelsea. The troubles began early with an own goal from Jules Koundé in the 27th minute. Following this, Estevão and Liam Delap scored to secure Chelsea’s victory.
Other Notable Results
Borussia Dortmund showcased a strong performance with a 4-0 win against Villarreal. Serhou Guirassy stood out, scoring twice in the match. His efforts were crucial after Villarreal’s Juan Foyth received a red card for handball.
- Galatasaray Istanbul 0 – 1 Union Saint-Gilloise
- Ajax Amsterdam 0 – 2 Benfica Lisbon
- Marseille 2 – 1 Newcastle United
- Napoli 2 – 0 Karabakh Agdam
- Bodö/Glimt 2 – 3 Juventus Turin
Current Standings in Champions League
| Position | Team | Points | Goals For | Goals Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bayern Munich | 12 | 14 | 3 |
| 6 | Manchester City | 10 | 10 | 5 |
| 16 | FC Barcelona | 7 | 12 | 10 |
| 13 | Bayer Leverkusen | 8 | 8 | 10 |
The dramatic outcomes this week emphasize the unpredictable nature of the Champions League, with teams like Leverkusen rising to prominence against heavyweights like Manchester City and Barcelona.
