Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted his team is grappling with fragile confidence following a shocking collapse in the Champions League. Leading 3-0 against Feyenoord at the Etihad Stadium, City conceded three goals in the final 15 minutes, resulting in a stunning 3-3 draw. This latest result extends their winless streak to six games across all competitions, including five defeats, leaving fans and pundits questioning the Premier League champions’ form.
A Promising Start Undone by Defensive Fragility
City appeared to be in control after Erling Haaland scored twice, either side of halftime, adding to the opener earlier in the second half. Haaland’s clinical finishing seemed to put Guardiola’s men on course for a morale-boosting victory, particularly after their 4-0 defeat to Tottenham in the Premier League just days earlier.
However, what unfolded in the final quarter of the game was unprecedented for a Guardiola-led side. Feyenoord mounted a dramatic comeback, capitalizing on defensive lapses to level the score at 3-3. It marked the first time under Guardiola that City surrendered a three-goal lead, leaving the reigning Champions League winners in an unfamiliar position in the competition’s new league format.
Guardiola’s Reflections: “We Are Fragile”
Speaking after the match, Guardiola acknowledged the struggles his team is facing. “We’ve lost a lot of games recently, and we are fragile,” he admitted during an interview with Amazon Prime. “We need a victory. The game was good for our confidence initially, but as soon as something went wrong, we faced problems.”
Guardiola highlighted that while the team played well for much of the game, they lacked the mental resilience to close out the match. “We were in control at 3-0 but couldn’t score a fourth or fifth. Once Feyenoord got one goal back, we invited more pressure and couldn’t withstand it,” he added.
The manager emphasized the importance of learning from the experience but was visibly frustrated by his team’s inability to secure a win. “It’s been a really difficult season for us. We made some mistakes, and we have to avoid them moving forward.”
Defensive Struggles and Gvardiol’s Night
City’s defensive frailty has been a significant factor in their recent poor form. They have conceded 17 goals in their last six matches, an uncharacteristic statistic for a team known for its defensive organization. Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol, who has struggled in recent games, came under scrutiny after another difficult night.
However, Guardiola was quick to defend the young center-back, saying, “He’s so young, and he will learn. Despite the mistakes, he was the best player on the pitch tonight. Now more than ever, he needs support.”
Nathan Ake Admits Mentality Issues
Defender Nathan Ake echoed Guardiola’s concerns, suggesting that City’s struggles may be rooted in mentality. “At 3-0, we were under control, but we didn’t handle the pressure after Feyenoord’s first goal,” Ake said. “We invited more pressure instead of keeping the momentum and attacking further.”
Ake described the draw as feeling like a defeat, adding, “When you’re three goals up at home, you can never give it away like this. It’s tough, but we need to fight back and stay strong.”
When asked whether the issues were mental, Ake admitted, “Maybe it is. We haven’t been in this situation often, but this is when we need to show our character. Everyone is writing us off, but we have to stay strong, believe in ourselves, and stick together.”
Looking Ahead to Liverpool
City’s next challenge is a crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool, a team in excellent form and challenging for the top of the table. Guardiola and his players know they must regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks. “Liverpool is a big game and another challenge to overcome,” Ake said. “This is where we show our character.”
As Guardiola’s side grapples with their current struggles, the coming weeks will test their resilience and ability to bounce back. For now, the champions are searching for answers to reverse their fortunes and reclaim their form as one of Europe’s elite teams.
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