Pep: We didn't try during loss to Leverkusen

PEP GUARDIOLA claims his much-changed Manchester City team "didn't try' in midweek and has learnt a lesson from their surprise loss to Bayer Leverkusen.

- By ANDY HAMPSON

The City manager paid the price for making 10 changes to his starting lineup as the German side won 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Guardiola felt the players brought in were too risk-averse and failed to grab the initiative, leading to a second successive defeat after last Saturday's Premier League reverse at Newcastle.

Guardiola, who admitted after the game he got his selection wrong, told a press conference yesterday to preview the game with Leeds United: "It is not about one result, it is in the performance.

"Of course, results help performances but I'm not very disappointed about Newcastle.