For a brief moment, it looked like Manchester City had turned the page on their poor run of form.
Three goals up against Feyenoord at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola’s men seemed ready to silence their doubters and rediscover the rhythm that has defined their dominance in recent years. But by full-time, stunned silence swept the stadium as Feyenoord pulled off a sensational comeback to draw 3-3.
What is happening to this Manchester City team?
The night started brightly. Erling Haaland, fouled in the box, calmly converted from the penalty spot to give City the lead just before halftime. Ilkay Gundogan doubled the advantage early in the second half with a deflected volley. When Haaland struck again minutes later, sweeping in a Matheus Nunes cross, the result seemed a foregone conclusion.
But football, as Guardiola himself often reminds us, has a way of humbling even the best. Josko Gvardiol’s careless pass handed Feyenoord an opening, with Anis Hadj Moussa pouncing to pull one back.
Santiago Gimenez, left unchecked, chested in a second to ignite the visitors’ belief. By the 89th minute, the unthinkable was complete—David Hancko fired home after a chaotic scramble, leaving Guardiola shaking his head on the sidelines.
The boos from sections of the home crowd told the story. This was no isolated mishap. It marked City’s sixth game without a win and extended a worrying trend: defensive lapses, midfield vulnerability in Rodri’s absence, and an alarming inability to close out matches. Guardiola, visibly frustrated post-match, insisted the team must "stand up and face" their struggles.
For Feyenoord, it was a night to remember, their travelling fans creating a carnival atmosphere as they celebrated an unlikely point. For City, however, the result felt more like a defeat.
Can this team, the reigning Premier League holders, steady the ship in time to salvage their campaign? With important matches against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain approaching, results are essential.
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