Man City 3-3 Feyenoord (November 26, 2024) Match analysis

Manchester City blew a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Dutch club Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday, another disastrous performance from Pep Guardiola’s sputtering side.

Erling Haaland scored a brace for the hosts, who appeared to be hoping for a comfortable win to end their miserable five-game losing streak in all competitions. But major defensive errors in the final minutes saw them lose their lead and fall to 15th in the Champions League table with eight points.

City have conceded two or more goals in six consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since 1963 – a season in which they were relegated from England’s top flight.

They also became the first team in Champions League history to lead a game by three goals as late as the 75th minute but failed to win.

“Difficult,” said City defender Nathan Aké. “We were playing pretty well, everything under control, then things changed. We have to stay mentally strong, believe in ourselves and stick together… and make sure we get out of this.”

“The only thing we can do is fight back and stay strong… When you’re 3-0 up, conceding three goals at home feels like a defeat.”

City remained on the away side for most of the evening, and after several near misses in the first half, Haaland got the home team on the scoresheet in the 45th minute with a stunning penalty past Timon Wellenreuther after he had been fouled in the penalty area.

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Ilkay Gündogan doubled the lead in the 50th minute with a low shot from distance that took a deflection before Haaland completed his brace three minutes later when he fired in Matheus Nunes’ cross for his 46th goal in Europe’s top competition.

By this point the relieved Etihad crowd was all smiles.

Amazingly, however, Feyenoord responded with three goals in 15 minutes, first through Anis Hadj Moussa, who pounced on a careless ball from Josko Gvardiol in the 75th minute.

Then Santiago Giménez struck seven minutes later when he chested in Jordan Lotomba’s cross, which came after another bad pass from Gvardiol that left a furious Guardiola sitting with his head in his hands for several minutes.

Dávid Hancko equalized in the 89th minute when City keeper Éderson was beaten by Igor Paixão, who sent a cross for Hancko to head.

What could have been a huge confidence boost for Guardiola’s struggling side is now raising more questions ahead of the toughest test of the season so far, a clash with Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

If they lose, City would be 11 points behind the Reds.

Feyenoord, fourth in the Dutch Eredivisie, is in 20th place in the Champions League standings with seven points.