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Manchester City’s struggles continued as they surrendered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord in a Champions League thriller.
City have now gone six matches without a win, raising concerns ahead of their Premier League clash with leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
After five successive losses, City seemed poised for victory, racing to a 3-0 lead inside 50 minutes at the Etihad Stadium. However, a late collapse saw Feyenoord score three times in the final 15 minutes as City’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed. Despite snapping their losing streak, the result leaves Pep Guardiola’s side with plenty to ponder.
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City fail to win again
Guardiola admitted his squad is lacking in confidence following the worst run of his managerial career. Erling Haaland’s brace and Ilkay Gundogan’s deflected effort had put City in a commanding position. Yet, repeated lapses at the back undid their good work.
Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez, and David Hancko capitalised on City’s mistakes as Feyenoord earned a crucial point. The Dutch side’s late heroics now leave City precariously placed in their group. With Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain up next, City faces a tough battle to secure progression.
City’s tally of eight points from five games drops them to 15th in the group standings, a point above Feyenoord. The new Champions League format allows only the top eight to advance directly to the last 16. Teams finishing between 9th and 24th must navigate a playoff round.
Guardiola reshuffled his lineup after Saturday’s humbling 4-0 loss to Tottenham, bringing in Jack Grealish, Matheus Nunes, and Nathan Ake. Despite the changes, City took time to find their rhythm.
A penalty won by Haaland eased tensions as he clinically converted, breaking his Champions League drought. Gundogan’s deflected volley early in the second half doubled the lead, and Haaland’s second goal seemed to put the game to bed.
Feyenoord’s late rally
However, Moussa punished Josko Gvardiol’s slack backpass, sparking Feyenoord’s comeback. Guardiola was evidently worried as he spent seconds regretting that goal. After City conceded the goal, he buried his head in his hands for as long as possible like he knew his side would concede more.
Seven minutes later, the nightmare continued when Gimenez pounced on a goalkeeping error to make it 3-2. Jordan Lotomba’s shot was deflected to the bar by Ederson and found its way to a completely free Gimenez who chested home.
Hancko headed in from a well-timed cross after a counter attack initiated by Hadj Moussa to complete the comeback. City even hit the crossbar through Grealish’s deflected shot in stoppage time, but a late winner was not to come.
Having now conceded two or more goals in six straight games for the first time since 1963, City’s defensive issues pthreaten to derail their season. Sunday’s trip to Liverpool will be a tough test and the winless run might just continue against the in-form Reds.
Tags: Manchester City, Feyenoord, Champions League, #UCL, #MCIFEY, Josko Gvardiol, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Matheus Nunes, Nathan Ake, Ilkay Gundogan, Pep Guardiola, Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez, David Hancko, #NewsRoundTheClock, #nrtcnewsnigeria, #nrtcnews, #nrtcnigeria, #nrtcsports.
