UCL: Man City blow 3-0 lead to draw Feyenoord

The heartbreaking 3-3 home draw between Feyenoord and Manchester City maintained City’s terrible run of play on Tuesday.

After a first-half brace from Erling Haaland and a goal from Ilkay Gundogan put Pep Guardiola’s team up 3-0, they were coasting into halftime. However, Feyenoord pulled one back thanks to a stunning late collapse.

How the game unfolded

City got off to a great start, and Ilkay Gundogan had the first reasonable opportunity of the game, but his shot was blocked. The home team controlled play and forced Feyenoord into many sloppy fouls as they tried to keep up.

Timon Wellenreuther, the custodian for Feyenoord, saved a Haaland header in the tenth minute by combining with his far post. However, he almost becomes the villain when Wellenreuther’s sloppy pass sets up Bernardo Silva. His blushes were saved by a game of penalty-box pinball in the end.

Wellenreuther had to tip over a blistering long-range shot from Phil Foden. Ederson had to step in to stop Igor Paixao, who, given the circumstances, should have given the away team an unexpected lead.

City were granted a penalty after Quentin Timber sent Haaland sprawling to the ground after an outstanding block by David Hancko denied him with five minutes remaining in the first half. Haaland, clearly irritated and relieved to finally have some luck on his side, went up to the plate and scored twice from 12 yards out, demonstrating his irritation and relief in equal measure.

As soon as play resumed, City extended their lead. To score his second goal of the tournament, Gundogan sent a low shot that wickedly deflected off Hancko and into the back of the net.

Three minutes after that, Haaland was rejoicing all over again. It seemed like the game was over until he slipped in to score from Matheus Nunes’s low cross. However, the game was only just getting started.

City started to loosen up, which allowed Feyenoord to score a goal of their thanks to some careless defence. After receiving a foul ball from Josko Gvardiol, Anis Hadj Moussa pounced on it, dribbling past the City custodian to score from a tight angle.

In the 88th minute, Santiago Gimenez scored from close range thanks to another sloppy City defence. In the 89th minute, City’s woes were compounded as Hancko headed home a counterattack, extending their winless streak to six games.

Defensive frailties remain

Pep Guardiola was aware that City should not have allowed any goals, much less three. The appearance of the City manager burying his face in his hands on the bench after Anis Hadj Moussa’s slotted goal spoke a thousand things.

City managed to shoot themselves in the foot and let Feyenoord score three late goals, reversing all the excellent work done by the other team. This may have been due to complacency or an inability to handle pressure that wasn’t even there.

If City continues to defend like that against Liverpool this Saturday, they risk losing all respect for themselves.

Are injuries really to blame?

Guardiola has publicly said that his team will be back to its best once his injured players return. If Rodri is so crucial to this squad, a lot of questions need answering.

Ederson, the custodian, fumbled the second and third attempts after Josko Gvardiol, the centre-back, cost his team £77.6 million and got them into difficulties for the first goal. Neither is a replacement for their pricey colleagues; instead, they are a mainstay in City’s starting lineup.

Guardiola must immediately address the current attitude issue at the Etihad.

Returning to his brutal best, Haaland

Haaland had been slacking off recently, but he scored twice in his little time with the ball and had plenty of opportunities for more. He was a significant factor in most of Feyenoord’s goals, and he created havoc with his touches.

Haaland’s refusal to celebrate his penalty and throwing the ball back into the goal revealed his anger with the current situation.

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