"We gave everything until the very last second and are very happy with the three points," said the goalscorer. Coach Kasper Hjulmand also savored the triumph: "A great victory for Bayer Leverkusen, huge credit to the team."
To the match center: Manchester City vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Pep Guardiola had far less fun in his 100th Champions League match as City coach. The top manager left goal machine Erling Haaland and several other stars on the bench at first, a gamble that backfired completely.
Midfielder Malik Tillman said the visitors got an "extra boost" by seeing City field "a stronger B team": "We expected something different, but that just made us want to show them even more what we're really capable of."
Flekken unbeatable
For Hjulmand, Haaland and the others starting on the bench "made no difference." The first Champions League win over a European heavyweight this season meant "a lot to me. We're building a new team here, we have a vision and we're on the right track. There's huge potential," Hjulmand said.
Alongside Schick (54'), Alejandro Grimaldo (23') also scored for the efficient visitors, while the City attack and substitute Haaland were kept frustrated by the outstanding Bayer keeper Mark Flekken. "This will bring us closer together, it will boost our confidence," said Tillman.
Leverkusen now head into the final three group stage matches with eight points, and before Christmas they will face Newcastle United and German national team striker Nick Woltemade (December 10).
But first, they face a double-header against Borussia Dortmund – on Saturday at home in the Bundesliga, and three days later away in the German cup round of 16.