Man City lost their first match of the 2017/2018 season

Guardiola and his team lost 1-2 at Shakhtar Donetsk in the final match of Group F of the Champions League.

Goals: Bernard 26', Ismaly 32' - Aguero 90'.

Man City have already secured their place at the top of the table after five wins, so this is a formality for the Premier League side. Pep Guardiola therefore used many substitutes, including names that are still unfamiliar to fans such as left-back Phil Foden and centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo.

Goalkeeper Ederson made a mistake that led to Man City's second goal. Photo: EPA

The changes in the formation meant that Man City could not guarantee the key element in Guardiola's tactics of keeping the ball firmly. They often had to face dangerous counter-attacks from the Ukrainian team. From such a move, Marlos comfortably dribbled the ball in front of the penalty area and passed it to Bernard who curled it into the corner of the goal, opening the score.

The Brazilian winger drew a curve from his right foot, sending the ball from the left corner of the penalty area straight into the net, much to the amazement of the majority of Man City players.

The home side doubled their lead just six minutes later, with Man City goalkeeper Ederson making a poor run out of position, allowing Ismaly to dribble past and score from a long ball from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Shakhtar Donetsk players celebrate after opening the score. Photo: Reuters

Leading 2-0 against a team that had only drawn one game and had not lost since the start of the season, the Shakhtar Donetsk players were full of spirit. They continuously created attacks but Facundo Ferreyra and Bernard both missed. As for Man City, they rarely had any dangerous attacks. Most notably, Foden's through ball allowed Gabriel Jesus to run down and face goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov. But the Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper judged the situation and rushed out to block.

Foden, who is only 17 and making his first start for City, impressed despite playing in his natural left position. In addition to the pass to Jesus, the midfielder for England U17, who won the U17 World Cup in October, had a volley over the bar in the first half.

Man City had a more positive game in the second half, especially after Sergio Aguero was brought on. Guardiola also gave another young player, Brahim Diaz, a chance to play. The visitors put on a lot of pressure in the last 10 minutes of the match. In the second minute of injury time, the referee awarded a penalty to Man City when he thought Bohdan Butko had brought down Jesus in the penalty area. Aguero successfully converted the penalty, helping the home team to get an honorary goal.

The efforts in the second half only brought Man City a consolation goal. Photo: Reuters.

Post-match statistics showed Man City had 67% possession but only had 10 shots compared to their opponents' 13. Only two of these were on target while Shakhtar Donetsk had six shots on target.

Man City's decision to field a much-changed squad and give opportunities to young players can be seen as a move to save the main players' strength before the Manchester derby with Man Utd this weekend. But it is a somewhat bold decision by Guardiola because his team can lose spirit before the big match.

Ederson's error in this game will put his ability to come and go under the microscope, and with a reserve team, Guardiola was denied a win in his 100th Champions League game.

According to VNE