A Hundredth UCL Showdown: City Welcome Leverkusen for Pep Guardiola’s Milestone Clash

Match Preview

European football fans are eyeing one of the fiercest matchups of the Champions League group stage, as Manchester City host Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad on Tuesday night. The clash brings together two sides with different profiles of strength: one a recent staple of the European elite under Pep Guardiola, the other steadily rising under a coach who has rekindled its spark in the Bundesliga and beyond.

City arrive facing a long-standing German record against English clubs, with Leverkusen standing as the 39th German opponent City has met in European competition. A fixture shaping Group D ambitions.

Numbers tell the tale: City have won 24, drawn six, and lost only eight of their meetings with German clubs. Leverkusen will be the eighth German side City have faced in their history, underscoring ties between the English powerhouse and German football over the decade, during which champions have outperformed this foe.

According to the figures, Manchester City have not lost any of their last 24 encounters with German sides in the Champions League, chalking up 19 wins and four draws along the way.

The sole defeat came at Leipzig in December 2021, by two goals to one, while the side has struck 67 goals across this run at an impressive average of 2.8 per game, a figure that reflects attacking depth and the confidence entering these types of matches.

Excellent record

If City's history against German clubs is rich, their home record against these sides is even more striking: they have won the last 13 matches at the Etihad against German opponents, with a commanding 49-13 aggregate, so far.

Remarkably, the German side to leave City’s ground undefeated in Europe was Bayern Munich in October 2013, a 3-1 victory for Guardiola’s unit. Since then City has reshaped itself, but home form against Bundesliga teams endures.

And on the other side, Leverkusen also struggle away to English clubs in Europe, with eight losses in ten visits, one win and one draw in recent European campaigns.

The sole victory came in London against Tottenham in November 2016, while the latest English trip was a disaster, as they were thrashed 4-0 by Liverpool at Anfield in November 2024 there.

These numbers place the German side under a stern test against the European champions for the 2022-23 campaign, a contest that could echo both clubs' ambitions in the group and probably decide early.

And Guardiola's 100th European game in charge of City will feature in this clash.

Guardiola has won 62 of 99 matches with City in Europe, placing him among the most prolific English coaches ever.

City head into the clash with 62 wins, 19 draws, and 18 losses in European play, becoming the third manager in the competition's history to lead over 100 matches with an English club, after Ferguson and Wenger.

City enter the encounter without trailing in any European tie this season, having led 62% of the minutes, about 239 minutes and 45 seconds in total.

Those stats show urgency from the start. In two hours of play, they have fired 41 shots to their opponents' two, a gulf that speaks to near-total control and a relentless pursuit of victory from the opening minute of every game.

And those numbers extend to the ball at their feet: the team tops this season’s Champions League charts for successful passes with 2,511 and an accuracy of 91.9 percent. Their build-up tempo keeps opposition under constant pressure.

They also boast the most sequences of 10 passes or more in open play this season, totaling 95 sequences, with each such move averaging 6.2 passes overall.

Even more telling, Guardiola’s side remains the only team in the competition not to concede a counter-attack so far, a testament to their defensive discipline and ability to smother chances before they start, even in tight moments.

Haaland blaze

In attack, Erling Haaland also has a personal milestone approaching, as he prepares to start his 50th Champions League match. The Norwegian forward would still hold the record as the all-time top scorer in the competition's first 50 appearances, with 50 goals in 49 games to date. Even if one stays, he remains magic.

Scoring with City, Haaland has 31 goals in the Champions League, including 24 with a single touch, a 77% conversion rate that is the best in the competition since 2022-23, highlighting his efficiency in the box, while others chase chances, he converts.

On the Leverkusen side, the side show a few credible anchors. Leverkusen also have players to watch, notably Spaniard Alex Garcia, who stands out with aerial and long passes, currently the most successful long-ball facilitator in the Champions League this season, recording 100% success in eight attempts. He is often described as the backbone of the German build-up, and a catalyst for progression.

Also a key midfielder is Jarisia, who completes the ball circulation with 48 interceptions this season, third among midfielders in ball wins. Observers praise him as the engine and backbone.

Punchline 1: If City keep this up, even coffee will be offside.

Punchline 2: Leverkusen might need a GPS—Goal Positioning System—to locate the net.