By Pedro Ayobami
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Manchester City’s struggles continued on Tuesday as they squandered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in a thrilling Champions League encounter. The English champions extended their winless run to six games, despite snapping a five-game losing streak.
Pep Guardiola’s star-studded squad looked set to restore some order after two goals from Erling Haaland, either side of Ilkay Gundogan’s deflected effort, gave them a commanding lead. However, the defensive frailties that have plagued City in recent weeks were exposed once again in the closing stages.
Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez, and David Hancko scored in the final 15 minutes to salvage a vital point for the Dutch giants. The draw leaves City with a mountain to climb to reach the knockout stages, with trips to Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain looming in their next two Champions League games.
Guardiola admitted that his team was “fragile” and lacking in confidence after the worst run of his managerial career. The Spanish tactician made three changes to his starting lineup, bringing in Jack Grealish, Matheus Nunes, and Nathan Ake. However, it took City time to find their rhythm, and nerves around the Etihad Stadium were frayed when Igor Paixao wasted a big chance to give Feyenoord the lead.
Instead, City got the break they needed when Haaland was fouled inside the box from a corner. The Norwegian missed from the penalty spot in City’s 4-1 thrashing by Sporting Lisbon last time out in the Champions League. This time, Haaland was clinical and smashed the ball into the net to relieve his frustrations of recent weeks.
Gundogan’s volley from the edge of the box that deflected in off Hancko gave City breathing space early in the second half. Haaland then slid in to meet Nunes’ cross for his 46th Champions League goal in 44 appearances in the competition to seemingly put City on easy street
However, Feyenoord staged a dramatic comeback, with Moussa, Gimenez, and Hancko scoring in the final 15 minutes to leave City reeling. The draw means City drop to 15th on eight points from five matches, just one point ahead of Feyenoord in 20th
Guardiola’s team has now conceded two or more goals in six consecutive games for the first time since 1963. The Spanish tactician will be concerned about his team’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly with trips to Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain looming in their next two Champions League games.
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