Manchester City: Guardiola Says Everything Is Against Us After Shock Champions League Loss To Bodo/Glimt

Manchester City suffered a major setback in the Champions League league phase, losing 3-1 away to Bodo/Glimt and leaving automatic qualification under threat. Kasper Hogh scored twice and Jens Peter Hauge added another, before City finished with 10 players. The result leaves City vulnerable, with Galatasaray still to come in their final league-phase match.

The defeat continues a difficult start to 2026 for Pep Guardiola, who has seen City win only once in all competitions this year. Guardiola suggested recent problems, including injuries and absences, have hurt rhythm and consistency. City still sit inside the top eight before the remaining fixtures, but now face strong pressure from chasing sides.

Across the 90 minutes, City created pressure

but left themselves open in key moments. They produced 16 shots, twice as many as Bodo/Glimt, with five attempts on target and a total of 1.2 expected goals. Yet Bodo/Glimt carved out five big chances, hit the post, and also saw efforts disallowed, exposing City’s defensive issues.

Team	Shots	Shots on target	Expected goals (xG)	Big chances conceded
Manchester City	16	5	1.2	5
Bodo/Glimt	8	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated

Rodri’s dismissal became a turning point and added to City’s problems in Norway. The midfielder received two yellow cards within 53 seconds, leading to the first Champions League red card of Rodri’s career. That quick sending-off was the fastest for an English club in the competition since Wayne Rooney’s red card for Manchester United against Villarreal in September 2005.

Guardiola linked this defeat to a wider pattern stretching back to the start of the year. The head coach mentioned missed chances at Sunderland around New Year, a series of injuries, and Matheus Nunes’ absence through flu against Bodo/Glimt. Guardiola argued these issues together have affected performance levels against elite opposition in both Europe and the Premier League.

Guardiola expanded on that feeling of circumstances going against City, especially after Rodri’s sending-off, saying: "It's a little bit soft the second one [Rodri's bookings], but it is what it is, Guardiola said. In the moment, 3-1, and after one minute [you get a red card], everything is a little bit against [us], for many many things, especially when we started New Year's in Sunderland, when we missed what we missed, and after we had injuries and injuries, and Matheus [Nunes] with flu cannot be here. So, there are many, many things are against [us] and in that level, the Champions League and against [Manchester] United, the top level, always, it is a little more difficult to have the consistency that we had for one or two months. "

Some observers suggested City lacked energy at Aspmyra Stadion, but Guardiola firmly rejected that view. The coach highlighted the absence of wide forwards Jeremy Doku and Savinho, along with several other key players, as factors shaping the display and limiting one-on-one threats in wide areas.

Addressing claims of a flat performance, Guardiola insisted: "I don't agree, Guardiola said. We didn't have Jeremy [Doku] or Savinho or proper wingers, and in other departments we had many important players that aren't here and give us more consistency than we have, but I didn't have the feeling that the team was not there. They are well organised, they force you to go outside, and we don't have players to go one against one and make moments behind. In general, they are really good, so congratulate them. "

For Bodo/Glimt, the result marked a landmark night in the Champions League. The Norwegian side registered a first victory in the competition after previously recording three draws and three defeats. Bodo/Glimt also became only the sixth team to lead Manchester City by three goals in a Champions League match, and the first to do so since Real Madrid in February 2025.

Despite remaining in the qualification places, Manchester City now approach the Galatasaray fixture under heavier scrutiny. Defensive lapses, the Rodri suspension, and continuing injury concerns add layers of difficulty. Guardiola and the squad must respond quickly if they are to secure automatic progress and steady a season that has become increasingly challenging in early 2026.