Guardiola's changes 'gave Leverkusen belief'

Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown says Pep Guardiola's squad rotation gave Bayer Leverkusen the "belief" needed to secure a memorable win at Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola made 10 changes to the side that lost at Newcastle on Saturday but the decision backfired as City slumped to a second consecutive defeat.

"It's obvious City won't perform to the level that's expected when Guardiola makes all of those changes," Brown told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "But I'm sure he felt his side had enough to go on and win that game with that side. That's the problem really.

"It started quite comfortably for City, moving the ball around with ease, playing attack versus defence. But, it was side to side, back and forth, without any real clinical side to it. There was no real pace or power or somebody brave enough to go through players to make something happen.

"They got countered a few times and you could see that first goal gave the visitors a real lift. Leverkusen were composed when they had to be, sat back and waited, and then countered when they were ready.

"It was a top-class away performance. Pep reacted very quickly at half-time with the three substitutions but they just couldn't find their way.

"It was flat, a little bit lacklustre, and you could feel it around the whole stadium. There was almost an expectation things were going to be routine but Pep making all those changes to his starting XI gave the away side a massive lift.

"If you walk onto the pitch and look across at all those players sat on the bench, you think you've got a great chance, and it gives you that belief.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds