Manchester City squandered a commanding 3-0 result in accept a dramatic 3-3 draw towards Feyenoord within the Champions League on Tuesday, extending their winless streak to 6 matches.
The English champions halted a five-game shedding skid however supplied little reassurance forward of Sunday’s high-stakes conflict with Premier League leaders Liverpool, conceding three targets within the remaining quarter-hour.
Pep Guardiola admitted his star-studded squad was “fragile” and combating confidence in the course of the worst stoop of his managerial profession.
Erling Haaland’s brace, coupled with Ilkay Gündoğan’s deflected strike, appeared to place City on target for a much-needed victory. However, their defensive vulnerabilities, a obtrusive challenge all through their latest downturn, have been ruthlessly exploited late within the sport.
Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko hit again to salvage a significant level for the Dutch membership.
“We concede a lot of goals because we are not stable,” mentioned Guardiola. “We misplaced numerous video games recently. We are fragile and naturally we want a victory.
“The game (at 3-0) was good for the confidence, playing at a good level, and the first time something happens we have problems.”
The draw leaves City with loads of work to do to succeed in the knockout phases, with journeys to Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain looming of their subsequent two Champions League video games.
Only the highest eight groups progress on to the final 16, whereas a spot within the prime 24 of the 36-team desk secures a playoff spherical berth.
City dropped to fifteenth with eight factors from 5 matches, only one level forward of Feyenoord in twentieth.
Haaland delivers, however protection falters
Guardiola reacted to a primary residence defeat in two years – a 4-0 humbling by Tottenham on Saturday – by making three adjustments.
Jack Grealish, Matheus Nunes and Nathan Ake got here into the beginning lineup, however it nonetheless took City time to search out their rhythm.
Nerves round a far-from-full Etihad Stadium have been frayed when Igor Paixao wasted an enormous likelihood to provide Feyenoord the lead.
Instead, City bought the break they wanted when Haaland was fouled contained in the field on a nook.
The Norwegian had missed from the penalty spot in City’s 4-1 loss to Sporting Lisbon final day trip within the Champions League. This time, he was medical, smashing the ball into the web to alleviate his latest frustrations.
Gündoğan’s volley from the sting of the field, which deflected in off Hancko, gave City respiration room early within the second half.
Haaland then slid in to satisfy Nunes’ cross for his forty sixth Champions League aim in 44 appearances, seemingly placing City on cruise management.
But there was a sting within the tail for the house facet after Josko Gvardiol’s slack-back cross allowed Moussa to spherical Ederson and hearth in from a slender angle.
Guardiola held his head in his fingers in response and worse was to return. Ederson did not take care of Jordan Lotomba’s near-post effort, and the ball fell kindly for Gimenez to make it 3-2.
More defensive lapses gifted Feyenoord an equalizer as Rico Lewis performed Paixao onside. The ahead rounded the onrushing Ederson and crossed for Hancko, who headed into an unguarded internet.
“It is a remarkable result for us,” Feyenoord coach Brian Priske mentioned. “At 3-0 down and in some phases of the sport, we have been dominated by Man City, who for me are the perfect staff on this planet.
“But we were able to take three key moments to perfection, get the three goals and come away with the draw.”
City have now conceded two or extra targets in six consecutive video games for the primary time since 1963.
There was nonetheless time for extra drama as Grealish’s shot returned off the crossbar throughout City’s seek for a late winner.
Instead, they needed to accept a degree that can really feel simply as damaging because the earlier 5 defeats for a facet so accustomed to profitable.
Source: www.dailysabah.com