For 75 minutes, Manchester City appeared to have rediscovered their mojo, cruising to a 3-0 lead against Feyenoord. But a dramatic late collapse saw them concede three goals, raising serious concerns ahead of their crucial Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Haaland’s Brace Masks Underlying Issues
Erling Haaland once again showcased his goal-scoring prowess, netting twice to give City a seemingly unassailable lead. His first came from the penalty spot just before halftime, a thunderous strike that left Feyenoord’s goalkeeper rooted.
His second, a clinical finish from Matheus Nunes’ cross, brought his Champions League tally to an astonishing 51 goal involvements in just 44 games—the fastest in the competition’s history.
While Haaland’s heroics offered a glimmer of hope, they also papered over the cracks in City’s performance. The team looked disjointed and awkward for large parts of the match, struggling to find the rhythm that has defined their recent dominance in English football. The reliance on Haaland’s goals is becoming a double-edged sword.
Is the Norwegian striker masking deeper issues within the squad?
| Haaland’s Champions League Record | Number |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 44 |
| Goals + Assists | 51 |
| Goals | [Data Needed] |
| Assists | [Data Needed] |
Guardiola’s Substitutions Under Scrutiny
Pep Guardiola’s decision-making is once again in the spotlight.
With a comfortable 3-0 lead, he opted to rest key players like Nathan Aké, Phil Foden, and Ilkay Gündoğan, perhaps with an eye on the upcoming Liverpool fixture.
However, the introduction of less experienced players like James McAtee and a reshuffled midfield seemed to destabilize the team. The control and stability evaporated, allowing Feyenoord to seize the initiative. Was it a gamble that backfired spectacularly?
Guardiola acknowledged the fragility of his side after the match, saying, “We give away especially the first one and after we are not stable enough.” His substitutions might have provided rest for some, but at what cost?
The tactical decisions raise more questions than answers.
Feyenoord’s Stunning Comeback Ignites Anfield Fears
Feyenoord’s late surge was nothing short of remarkable. Anis Hadj Moussa’s goal ignited hope, and substitute Santiago Giménez made it 3-2 with eight minutes remaining.
The Dutch side smelled blood, and City looked helpless to stop the onslaught.
Igor Paixão capitalized on a defensive mix-up, setting up Dávid Hancko for the equalizer that sent the Feyenoord fans into raptures. The scenes at the Etihad were surreal; a match that seemed dead and buried was turned on its head. If Feyenoord can expose City’s vulnerabilities, what might Liverpool do?
- Feyenoord’s goals:
- 75′ Anis Hadj Moussa
- 82′ Santiago Giménez
- 90′ Dávid Hancko
Liverpool Await as City’s Confidence Wanes
The timing couldn’t be worse for Manchester City.
They now face a rampant Liverpool side, brimming with confidence and goals.
Pep Guardiola himself admitted the gravity of the situation: “We have to [win], we have to. That is my job. We are going to train, recover, and prepare for the next game.”
A defeat at Anfield could widen the gap to 11 points, a chasm even for a team of City’s caliber. The psychological blow of failing to secure a win in six consecutive matches cannot be underestimated.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp will surely be studying City’s collapse with keen interest.
City’s season hangs in the balance. Can they regroup in time to salvage their title ambitions?
