For 75 minutes, Manchester City looked to be back to their best, holding a dominant 3-0 lead over Feyenoord. However, a stunning late collapse that saw them concede three goals has now sparked serious alarm bells. This dramatic draw raises fresh questions about the team’s form just days before a massive Premier League showdown with Liverpool.
Haaland’s Brace Masks Underlying Issues
Erling Haaland continued his sensational scoring form, finding the net twice to give City what seemed to be a secure advantage. His first goal was a powerful penalty just before halftime, followed by a sharp finish from a Matheus Nunes cross in the second half.
This second goal marked his 51st goal involvement in just 44 Champions League appearances, making him the fastest player to reach that milestone in the competition’s history. While the Norwegian’s individual brilliance was on full display, it couldn’t hide the team’s wider struggles.
For long periods, City appeared disjointed and struggled to establish their usual fluid rhythm. The performance suggests a growing over-reliance on Haaland to produce moments of magic, which may be covering deeper tactical problems 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
With the game seemingly won at 3-0, manager Pep Guardiola chose to substitute key players, likely to rest them for the upcoming Liverpool match. Nathan Aké, Phil Foden, and Ilkay Gündoğan were all withdrawn from the action.
The introduction of less experienced players, including James McAtee, and a subsequent midfield reshuffle appeared to completely destabilize the team. City lost all control of the game, allowing Feyenoord to build momentum and launch their incredible comeback.
Guardiola himself admitted the team’s weakness after the final whistle. “We give away especially the first one and after we are not stable enough,” he commented. The decision to prioritize rest over seeing out the game has backfired, leaving many to question the tactical gamble.
Feyenoord’s Stunning Comeback Ignites Anfield Fears
Feyenoord’s late charge was a sight to behold, turning a certain defeat into a historic draw. The comeback began when Anis Hadj Moussa scored in the 75th minute, giving the Dutch side a glimmer of hope.
The momentum shifted entirely in Feyenoord’s favor. City’s defence looked panicked and unable to cope with the sudden pressure.
- 75′ Anis Hadj Moussa
- 82′ Santiago Giménez
- 90′ Dávid Hancko
The equalizing goal from Dávid Hancko, following a defensive error, sent the traveling Feyenoord supporters into a frenzy. The atmosphere at the Etihad turned from celebration to disbelief. If Feyenoord could so easily expose City’s fragility, the threat posed by Liverpool’s potent attack now seems even more daunting.
Liverpool Await as City’s Confidence Wanes
This collapse could not have come at a worse time for Manchester City. They are now set to face a high-flying Liverpool team at Anfield, a side known for its relentless attack and confidence. The psychological damage from failing to win in six consecutive matches is a significant concern.
A loss against Liverpool would see the gap at the top of the table potentially widen to 11 points, a massive deficit to overcome. Pep Guardiola understands the pressure, stating, “We have to [win], we have to. That is my job.”
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp will undoubtedly have watched City’s late-game meltdown with great interest, looking for weaknesses to exploit. With their title ambitions hanging by a thread, City must find a way to regroup before what is now a season-defining fixture.
