The Champions League stat that will have Man City fans concerned after latest loss

Manchester City have added to an unwanted record after their shock 3-1 loss to minnows Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League on Tuesday, which will have their fans concerned.

The Norwegian side raced into a 2-0 lead and added another just before the hour mark, before Man City’s Rayan Cherki pulled one back for the visitors.

In a difficult night for Pep Guardiola’s men, which saw Erling Haaland prolong his goalscoring drought, Rodri was also sent off for two yellow cards in the space of 53 seconds in a bizarre incident for the Spaniard.

The result comes after defeat to Manchester United in the derby, and extends a poor run of form which has seen City fall away from leaders Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

In the Champions League, automatic qualification for the round of 16 had been looking routine, but defeat to Bodo/Glimt leaves City’s top-eight chances in jeopardy.

The shock loss signals that the issues run deeper for the Citizens, and one stat may have fans questioning the future of Pep Guardiola.

Pep Guardiola’s Champions League record

Pep Guardiola is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in the history of the game, and his Champions League record is a huge part of that.

Before his tenure at Manchester City, the Catalan famously won two Champions League titles at his boyhood club Barcelona, including one as part of the famous treble-winning season in 08/09.

After moving on to Bayern Munich with less success – in Europe at least – Pep then repeated the feat with Manchester City in 22/23, dispatching Inter Milan in the final to add to the Premier League and FA Cup wins that season.

In fact, only Carlo Ancelotti (5) has more Champions League titles to his name than Pep (3).

The stat that will have Manchester City fans concerned

However, in their latest loss, Bodo/Glimt became only the sixth side in Champions League history to take a three-or-more-goal lead against Manchester City.

In doing so, the Eliteserien side join esteemed company, alongside Bayern Munich (2013), Barcelona (2016), Liverpool (2018) and Real Madrid (2025) as other sides to have turned City over in Europe’s elite competition.

Ruben Amorim also guided Sporting Lisbon to a famous 4-1 victory in November 2024 in a night that proved to be a good audition for the soon-to-be Man United boss.

6 – Sides to take a 3+ goal UEFA Champions League lead against Manchester City:

Bayern Munich – October 2013
Barcelona – October 2016
Liverpool – April 2018
Sporting CP – November 2024
Real Madrid – February 2025
Bodø/Glimt – January 2026

Astounding. pic.twitter.com/FBOcVT3Hce

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 20, 2026

However, what’s concerning for City isn’t just the defeats, but the recency and frequency of them.

Three of those six losses have come in the last 15 months, signalling a worrying trend for Pep Guardiola’s side.

What’s more is that two have come against sides outside Europe’s top five leagues.

Don’t write Pep Guardiola off just yet

While the signs suggest Pep’s powers may be fading, it would be far too early to write the Spaniard off.

After all, his side have come from behind to pip both Liverpool and Arsenal to Premier League titles in recent years.

Moreover, City are favourites to secure their place in the League Cup final, and will still be feared in the Champions League knockout round- no matter how they get there.

But with his current deal at the club expiring in 2027, it’s not dramatic to say Man City will have to start preparing for life after Pep Guardiola.