The Manchester City storyline heading into Tuesday’s group-stage matchup against Bayer Leverkusen looks simple on paper, but for Pep Guardiola, it lands with extra weight. The Catalan coach is about to manage his 100th Champions League match, a milestone very few coaches have reached — a marker of a journey that has taken him through Barcelona, Bayern, and now City.

But the historical context doesn’t change the reality: City comes into this game surrounded by questions, injuries, and a Guardiola navigating one of his most intense stretches on and off the pitch.

Donnarumma, Injuries and a Direct Warning From the Bench

In his pre-match remarks, Guardiola paused on the situation of Gianluigi Donnarumma, his starting goalkeeper since the Italian’s arrival in Manchester. The message was blunt and without sugarcoating:
“He has to defend his position. If he gets booked, he gets booked.”

With that, Pep made it clear: no privileges, even in a week where suspension risk hangs over his keeper. And just to remove any doubt, he confirmed his alternative:
“If he’s suspended, James Trafford will play.”
The young Englishman remains on standby for a scenario that might arrive sooner than the club expects.

Medical updates didn’t bring much relief either. Guardiola confirmed that Rodri and Mateo Kovačić remain out, though the situation around the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner is far from alarming:
“We’ll wait a little longer to make sure he’s fully okay.”

A Mea Culpa After the Newcastle Defeat

This match also comes on the heels of the setback against Newcastle, a night where Guardiola lost his composure: a confrontation with a cameraman, protests toward the referee, and heated moments with Bruno Guimarães.

Pep didn’t dodge accountability. He admitted he didn’t like what he saw from himself:
“I felt embarrassed when I saw the footage. I don’t like it. Even with 1,000 matches, I still make mistakes. I apologize.”

A Night to Celebrate… If City Shows Up

Guardiola closed his press conference acknowledging the weight of this Champions League milestone:
“I think I’m getting old… but it’s good. Being here every season means a lot. It’s a great competition.”

With the 100-match mark in sight and Leverkusen waiting, Manchester City now has the chance to reset the mood, respond on the pitch, and give their manager a night worthy of his European legacy.