Manchester City’s recent struggles in the Champions League were compounded on Tuesday night, as they threw away a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 at home against Feyenoord. The draw extended their winless streak to six matches, a surprising slump that has left City, usually a dominant force under Pep Guardiola, searching for answers.
After a series of disheartening losses—including a heavy 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur—City's performance at the Etihad did little to ease the pressure mounting on the team. What seemed like a potential morale-boosting win quickly unravelled due to a series of defensive mistakes, particularly from Josko Gvardiol, whose two costly errors allowed Feyenoord to stage a dramatic comeback.
Despite the chaos on the pitch, Guardiola remained supportive of his players, refusing to single out individuals for blame. "It’s difficult to swallow," said the 53-year-old Spaniard after the game. "We gave away especially the first goal and then we weren’t stable enough after that."
City had initially looked in control, with Erling Haaland scoring twice and Ilkay Gundogan adding a third to give the home side a 3-0 lead. But Feyenoord responded in the second half, first capitalizing on a disastrous back-pass from Gvardiol, then taking advantage of another error from the Croatian to close the gap to 3-2. The visitors completed their dramatic fightback in the dying minutes, with David Hancko netting the equalizer in the 89th minute.
Guardiola stood by Gvardiol, who appeared devastated by his mistakes. "He’s so young, and he’ll learn," the City boss said. "He’s a fantastic player, and more than ever, he needs our support."
The draw left Manchester City languishing in 15th place in the 36-team Champions League group stage, with only eight points from their opening six games. Although they still have a shot at qualification, the road ahead is far from easy. The top eight teams automatically advance to the last 16, while the next 16 teams will have to fight it out in a two-legged playoff.
The draw was met with frustration from the Etihad faithful, who voiced their displeasure with boos at the final whistle. Guardiola acknowledged the fans’ frustration, saying, "They are right to express how they feel. Of course, they are disappointed."
Meanwhile, Feyenoord’s manager, Brian Priske, celebrated his team's resilience, making history by becoming the first side in Champions League history to recover from a three-goal deficit to secure a draw after the 75th minute. "I just love that word resilience," Priske said. "That's what these boys have."
Looking ahead, City face a crucial test when they travel to Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. A loss would leave them 11 points behind the Reds, making it essential for Guardiola to lift his players. "We have to, we have to," Guardiola said. "It’s my job."
