Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola described Tuesday’s 3-3 draw against Feyenoord in the Champions League as feeling like another defeat, after his team squandered a 3-0 lead in the final 15 minutes.
While the point ended City’s five-match losing streak, it did little to boost confidence ahead of their difficult Premier League clash with leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
This marks the first time since 1989 that City has failed to win a match after leading by three goals, and the first time ever that such a collapse occurred in the final 15 minutes of a Champions League game.
The defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued City in recent weeks were again exposed as Feyenoord’s Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez, and David Hancko scored late goals to level the match.
“We concede a lot of goals because we are not stable,” Guardiola said. “We give them the first one, and then the others follow, which makes it difficult.”
Erling Haaland had scored twice, along with a deflected effort from Ilkay Gundogan, putting City in a commanding position at 3-0. But the late collapse overshadowed their earlier performance.
“We’ve lost a lot of games lately. We’re fragile, and of course, we need a victory,” Guardiola added. “The game was good for confidence at 3-0, playing at a good level, but when something went wrong, we had problems.”
City have now won just two of their first five Champions League matches, leaving them with work to do in their upcoming away games against Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
With eight points, they sit 15th in the 36-team table, just one point ahead of Feyenoord, who are in 20th place.
Liverpool, already eight points clear of City at the top of the Premier League, are their next challenge.
Guardiola had previously admitted that an 11-point gap would be too much to overcome, even for a side that has won a record four consecutive Premier League titles.
“Rest one or two days, clear the head mentally, and think about the next game,” Guardiola said, outlining how he would respond to the setback.
Defender Nathan Aké stressed the need for City to show more mental strength during this tough period. Aké was substituted as part of a triple change when City were comfortably leading 3-0.
“At 3-0 up, we played quite well, had the game under control, and then it all changed,” Aké said. “We have to remain mentally stronger. When you’re 3-0 up and then draw, it feels like a defeat. It’s a tough night, but the only thing we can do is look forward to the next challenge. We need to show our character and stay together.”
