Manchester City’s ongoing woes reached a new low tonight as they squandered a commanding 3-0 lead against Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League, resulting in a stunning 3-3 draw. This heartbreaking result marks yet another chapter in a troubling period for Pep Guardiola’s side, who are now winless in their last six matches across all competitions.
With the team seemingly in control throughout most of the match, it appeared as though City had finally found their rhythm. Goals from Erling Haaland, who netted twice, and Ilkay Gundogan put them firmly in the driving seat in the second half. The hosts dominated possession and looked poised to take all three points from this Group G encounter, offering brief hope that their recent struggles would come to an end. But in a game that seemed to go from bad to worse, City’s defensive frailties once again cost them dearly.
Despite their earlier dominance, the final stages of the game saw Manchester City unravel completely, unable to hold onto their three-goal advantage. A series of defensive errors, compounded by lapses in concentration, allowed Feyenoord to mount a breathtaking comeback, with all three of their goals coming in the final 15 minutes of the match.
A Comfortable Lead Turned Disastrous
The first half had been relatively uneventful, with Manchester City controlling possession and dictating the tempo of the game. Haaland opened the scoring early on, finding the back of the net in the 17th minute after a well-placed pass from Gundogan. The Norwegian striker’s finish was clinical, as he slotted the ball past Feyenoord goalkeeper Nick Marsman. City’s dominance continued, and they doubled their lead in the 54th minute when Gundogan, ever the maestro in midfield, scored a composed finish after a well-worked team move.
With City leading 2-0, it seemed like they were in full control, and their third goal came shortly after in the 62nd minute, when Haaland added his second. His towering header from a Kevin De Bruyne cross gave City what appeared to be an unassailable 3-0 advantage. At that point, the Etihad Stadium was buzzing with excitement, and many fans believed the game was effectively over.
However, Feyenoord had other ideas. The Dutch side began to press higher up the pitch, sensing an opportunity to exploit City’s defensive vulnerabilities. This marked the beginning of a stunning turn of events.
Feyenoord’s Comeback: A Series of Unfortunate Events for City
The first sign of trouble for City came in the 75th minute when Ibrahim Moussa pounced on a poor back-header from City’s Josko Gvardiol. The Croatian’s weak clearance fell straight into the path of Moussa, who calmly slotted the ball past Ederson from a tight angle to make it 3-1. The error was a clear indication that City were not fully focused and allowed Feyenoord a lifeline when it appeared they had already been put to bed.
Then, just four minutes later, Feyenoord capitalized on yet another mistake. A shot from Lotomba rattled the post and came back to Ederson, but the Brazilian goalkeeper’s failed attempt to clear the ball allowed Santiago Gimenez to get on the end of the rebound. Gimenez, ever the poacher, reacted quickest and calmly converted the rebound to make it 3-2, and suddenly, the momentum had completely shifted.
With the match entering the final minutes, Feyenoord refused to relent. They continued to apply pressure, sensing that Manchester City were vulnerable and on the verge of collapse. In the 89th minute, the Dutch side completed their remarkable comeback. Lucas Paixao latched onto a long ball over the top of the City defense, controlling it beautifully before rounding Ederson with ease. Paixao then squared the ball across goal for an onrushing Zoran Hancko, who headed the ball into the net to make it 3-3, completing one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent Champions League history.
Alan Shearer’s Stinging Critique
The dramatic collapse left many in shock, including pundits who were quick to highlight the flaws in Manchester City’s play. Former Premier League striker and football expert Alan Shearer, speaking on Amazon Prime, was particularly critical of City’s inability to manage the game as it approached its conclusion. Shearer noted that City’s high defensive line was a risky tactic that ultimately backfired, leaving them exposed to counterattacks.
“They should have killed the game and tried to hold a high line. Brilliant from Feyenoord, hoping that City would cave in under the pressure, and that’s exactly what happened,” Shearer remarked. “Disastrous. They had the game in their hands and threw it away.”
Shearer’s comments highlighted the frustrations many City fans will feel after seeing their team fail to manage a match they were in complete control of. With such defensive errors creeping into their game, Guardiola has much to ponder as his side prepares for the upcoming challenges.
City’s Form Worsens Ahead of Liverpool Clash
This result is just the latest in a string of poor performances for Manchester City. The 3-3 draw against Feyenoord extends City’s winless streak to six matches, further deepening the sense of crisis around the club. This has been particularly disappointing given that Guardiola recently signed a contract extension until 2027, with the expectation that he would continue to build upon his previous successes.
Only a day after the announcement of his new contract, City suffered their heaviest home defeat under Guardiola, a humiliating 4-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur. The defeat to Spurs had seen City unable to cope with their opponents’ high intensity and pace, a theme that was sadly repeated in their Champions League draw against Feyenoord.
Looking ahead, City faces a daunting challenge when they take on Premier League leaders Liverpool this Sunday. With Liverpool in scintillating form and holding a significant lead at the top of the table, the Reds will be confident of extending their advantage over City to 11 points. Jurgen Klopp’s side will be buoyed by the recent slip-ups from City and will look to capitalize on their opponents’ fragile confidence.
For Guardiola’s men, a win against Liverpool could be just the tonic they need to restore their morale and prove that they can still compete with the best. However, given the current form, City’s task will be monumental. If they are to bounce back and challenge for the title, they will need to address their defensive issues and regain the intensity that has been missing in recent weeks.
Conclusion: A Critical Week Ahead for Manchester City
Manchester City’s disastrous 3-3 draw with Feyenoord has exposed deep-rooted issues within the team, particularly at the back. The loss of a three-goal lead and the subsequent collapse will be a major concern for Guardiola, who now faces mounting pressure ahead of their crucial Premier League clash with Liverpool. The upcoming match will be a defining moment for City, and a win is essential if they are to reignite their season and challenge for major honors. With the pressure mounting, only time will tell if Manchester City can recover from this alarming slump or if their struggles will continue to deepen as the season progresses.