Manchester City’s troubles continued with a shambolic collapse in the Champions League against Feyenoord.
Erling Haaland put City ahead in a subdued first period from the spot after he was fouled, and the Blues were on course for a morale-boosting win after early second half goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Haaland’s second.
But a City mistake gave Feyenoord a route back into the game, before a second made things nervy and the comeback was completed late on after a moment of madness from Ederson. City now go on to Anfield to take on Liverpool without a win in six and with confidence firmly on the floor.
These are the moments you might have missed from City’s latest Champions League clash:
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The moment Pep switched focus – and lost the game
Pep Guardiola will insist he is always thinking about the next game, or the one he is currently taking part in. But some things give that stance away – like taking off three key men ahead of a huge Premier League trip to Anfield, and keeping another on the bench at the same time.
With City 3-0 up, Guardiola called to his bench with around 20 minutes left. Off came Ilkay Gundogan, who Guardiola has admitted is being overplayed, as well as Phil Foden and the returning Nathan Ake. On came youngsters James McAtee, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and talisman Kevin De Bruyne on his latest return from injury.
Each change was designed to rest important legs, or get minutes into De Bruyne to get him in the best possible condition for Anfield. Ruben Dias, back in the squad and warming up, remained in his seat as teenager Simpson-Pusey got another outing.
Pep’s priorities were clear in that moment – and it took the collective focus off the matter in hand.
Feyenoord’s Liverpool taunt
Ask the noisy Feyenoord fans who they will be supporting in Sunday’s showdown between City and Liverpool and you imagine the answer will be unanimous. Arne Slot won the Eredivisie with Feyenoord two seasons ago and won the cup last term before moving to Anfield in the summer.
Feyenoord don’t just share the Slot connection with Liverpool – they sing You’ll Never Walk Alone when they are celebrating, and that particular tune got an airing at the Etihad in the first half on Tuesday. Given the game was goalless at the time, it felt pointed towards Sunday’s huge clash in the Premier League.
Naturally, the song was roundly booed by the Etihad crowd, just as when the away fans in the Anfield Road Stand will do at the weekend. This game was all about getting back to winning ways and restoring some confidence – but the Liverpool reminder was never far away. After Feyenoord came back to 3-3, the Liverpool anthem got a second airing. City fans couldn’t even bring themselves to respond.
Pep’s anger as clean sheet wait continues
Once again, City’s makeshift defence continues to look like it is lacking its most important components. And the players who are holding it together look like they are on their last legs.
Josko Gvardiol was at fault for Tottenham’s first two goals and was guilty of a terrible backpass with City coasting towards the end. Anis Hadj Moussa latched onto it, rounded Ederson and pulled one back.
Guardiola had his head in his hands for a good minute after the restart, unable to believe what he had just seen. Maybe he knew what was coming.
And when Gvardiol raced upfield to chase a ball that wasn’t his, Guardiola looked equally furious that his left-back had abandoned his position.
Gvardiol didn’t cover himself in glory for the Feyenoord second, and his manager was seething when Ederson came 30 yards for a ball he was never going to win, allowing the Dutch side a draw out of nowhere.
Kyle Walker could be seen arguing and pointing with the away bench as they celebrated the equaliser wildly, with both sets of coaching staff briefly coming together.
Gvardiol’s full time freeze
Gvardiol was definitely at fault for Feyenoord’s first and all at sea for their second. It follows two huge errors against Tottenham and he stood motionless at full-time after the collapse was confirmed.
In that moment, he will have wanted the world to swallow him up – instead the TV camera made a beeline for him and stood directly in front of his stare. A Feyenoord player offered a hand of condolence as some City players gathered for an inquest in the centre circle.
As Gvardiol turned to walk down the tunnel, the camera followed him until he left the pitch, reminding him of his nightmare week. Mo Salah will be licking his lips at the prospect of attacking a talented player desperately out of form and in need of a rest – but without the option to do so.
