Manchester City blow 3-0 lead to draw with Feyenoord in Champions League thriller

Manchester City blow 3-0 Lead to draw with Feyenoord in Champions League thriller! Manchester City’s poor form continued dramatically as they squandered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League, leaving the Etihad Stadium stunned.

Goals from Erling Haaland (2) and Ilkay Gundogan had seemingly secured a comfortable win for City, but a spirited comeback from the Dutch side saw them take a hard-earned point back to Rotterdam. With three late goals from Feyenoord, City’s struggles were laid bare, eliciting boos from sections of their home crowd.

Feyenoord’s Spectacular Comeback

City were cruising after Haaland’s penalty and Gundogan’s deflected volley gave them a 2-0 halftime lead. Haaland’s second, a composed finish from Matheus Nunes’ cross, appeared to have sealed the match in the 53rd minute.

However, Anis Hadj Moussa capitalized on a costly error by Josko Gvardiol to pull one back for Feyenoord, sparking hope for the visitors. Substitute Santiago Gimenez made it 3-2 in the 82nd minute with an acrobatic chest finish. In the 89th minute, David Hancko completed the comeback by slamming home a loose ball, leaving City boss Pep Guardiola visibly frustrated on the touchline.

City’s Defensive Frailties Exposed

The result was another blow to City, who have now failed to win in six consecutive matches across all competitions. Their defensive vulnerabilities were glaring, with the team conceding two or more goals in six straight games for the first time since May 1963.

Guardiola’s side appeared to lack focus and composure, epitomized by Gvardiol’s careless pass that initiated Feyenoord’s comeback. Despite a strong start, City’s defensive lapses and inability to control the match cost them dearly.

Champions League Struggles Continue

City, who won the Champions League in 2023, are now 15th in the group standings, having dropped seven points from five matches. They risk facing two additional play-off matches in February unless they turn their form around.

Upcoming matches against Juventus (11 December), Paris Saint-Germain (22 January), and Club Brugge (29 January) will be critical in determining their fate. Guardiola must quickly address the defensive and tactical issues to avoid further setbacks.

A Long Fall from Dominance

City’s recent slump is uncharacteristic for the usually dominant side. In just four weeks, they have exited the EFL Cup, lost three consecutive Premier League games, and dropped valuable points in Europe.

This collapse follows a series of lackluster performances, including defeats to Wolves and Arsenal in domestic competition. Sunday’s Premier League showdown against title rivals Liverpool now looms large, with City desperate to regain momentum.

Guardiola’s Challenge

Pep Guardiola cut a dejected figure after the match, clearly frustrated by his team’s inability to see out a comfortable lead. Despite their attacking prowess, lapses in concentration and uncharacteristic errors have made City vulnerable.

“We lacked focus in key moments,” Guardiola admitted. “We need to rediscover our form quickly because we’re conceding too many goals.”

Feyenoord’s Triumph

For Feyenoord, the result was a testament to their resilience and fighting spirit. Backed by 5,000 traveling fans, the Dutch side turned the game on its head, ensuring a memorable night for their supporters.

Manager Arne Slot praised his team’s character, saying, “To come back against a team like City shows the belief and quality we have. It’s a night to remember for Feyenoord.”

The Road Ahead

City must now regroup and refocus as the season intensifies. While their attacking talent remains formidable, their defensive woes threaten to derail both their domestic and European campaigns.

With crucial matches on the horizon, Guardiola and his squad face a stern test to prove they can reclaim their dominance and keep their trophy ambitions alive.

In other news – SARS and police raid MaMkhize’s R20 million Durban mansion

South African business mogul Shauwn Mkhize, popularly known as MaMkhize, is making headlines after the South African Revenue Service (SARS) conducted a raid on her properties on Tuesday.

The raids, which took place at her luxurious R20 million La Lucia mansion and reportedly other locations, aim to secure assets amid allegations of unpaid taxes amounting to R37 million. Reports indicate that SARS, assisted by the police, carried out raids not just at MaMkhize’s La Lucia home but also at her properties in Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and Sandton. Read More