Premier League
Our Collapse Difficult To Swallow – Says Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola called Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Feyenoord “difficult to swallow” and admitted he understood the boos that greeted the final whistle after his side threw away a 3-0 lead in the last 15 minutes.
City managed to avoid a sixth consecutive defeat, but their failure to maintain a commanding lead will do little to ease tensions in and around the club as they prepare for Sunday’s match against Premier League leaders Liverpool.
City looked completely in command after Erling Haaland scored two goals and Ilkay Gundogan added another, putting them three goals ahead just seven minutes into the second half.
However, after Anis Hadj Moussa pulled one back in the 75th minute, City fell apart.
“It is what it is, difficult to swallow right now,” Guardiola said.
“The game was good, we played well, we scored three and could have scored more. We do everything, and then we give away especially the first one, and after, we are not stable enough to do it.
“It’s not about no run or no commitment, but football you have to be [switched on] in certain moments to do it.”
Santiago Gimenez scored Feyenoord’s second goal in the 82nd minute, with David Hancko netting a dramatic equalizer in the 89th.
This result made City the first team in Champions League history to lead 3-0 in the 75th minute of a match and fail to secure a victory.
Some City fans, who suffered through Saturday’s 4-0 humiliation at home to Tottenham, made their frustrations known at the final whistle.
“The last game against Tottenham, 0-4, the supporters were there, applause,” he said.
“They are disappointed, of course, and we understand it.
“People come here not to remember the success of the past; they come here to see the team win and perform well. I am not the one when the situation is bad or good [to say] what they have to do.
“These supporters, when we go away, our fans are amazing, traveling. There is nothing to do and they are right to express what they feel.”
Guardiola’s frustrations were apparent given the number of scratches visible on his head after the match. The Catalan had arrived at the ground with a cut on his nose, which he said he had caused himself with a long fingernail.
City will now head to Anfield to take on a Liverpool team managed by former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot, whose name was sung by the traveling fans during the match.
“Everybody knows the situation, I don’t have to add absolutely anything,” Guardiola said.
“We are going to train tomorrow, recover, and prepare for the next game. Day off and we have two or three days to prepare that and go for it. We will learn for the future and what has been has been.
“It will be a tough season for us and we have to accept it for many circumstances.”
Feyenoord’s late fightback brought jubilant scenes in the away end.
“I think if you’re from Feyenoord it was an unbelievable evening,” head coach Brian Priske said.
“A strange game which ends 3-3 which is an unbelievable result for us and also remarkable in the essence of being 3-0 down in minute 75 away from home against still, for me, the best team in the world.
“Normally, we don’t celebrate draws, but this one is a little bit special.”
