Pep Guardiola admits Man City deserve to boo after Champions League collapse
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted fans had every right to express their frustrations after his team surrendered a three-goal lead in the final 15 minutes against Feyenoord. The 3-3 draw extended City’s winless streak to six matches across all competitions, leaving them in 15th place in the Champions League standings.
City’s Defensive Fragility Exposed
Feyenoord’s stunning comeback was capped by David Hancko’s 89th-minute equalizer, marking the sixth consecutive match in which City have conceded at least two goals—a defensive slump not seen since 1963. Guardiola, while defending individual players, acknowledged the team’s frailties:“We were playing good at 3-0, but we conceded because we were not stable. We’re fragile and needed this victory. I don’t know if it’s mental. The first and second goals cannot happen.”Josko Gvardiol, who was at fault during Feyenoord’s resurgence, was specifically mentioned by Guardiola as a young player still learning.
Supporters’ Right to Criticize
Guardiola was candid about the fan reaction, stating that City supporters expect both results and performances:“People come here not to remember the success of the past. They come to see the team win and perform well. They are completely right to express what they feel.”Despite the boos, Guardiola praised the fans’ consistent support, particularly during away games.
A Crucial Liverpool Clash Ahead
City now face the daunting task of traveling to Anfield on Sunday to meet league leaders Liverpool. A loss would leave Guardiola’s side 11 points adrift in the Premier League title race. Guardiola expressed determination to lift his team’s spirits:“It’s my job to pick them up. We lost a lot of games lately, but we have to move forward.”
Feyenoord’s Joy
Feyenoord manager Brian Priske was thrilled with the result, particularly given the connection to former boss Arne Slot, now with Liverpool:“I’m sure he’s proud. He’s following us, and we’ve done everything we could to help him.”
City’s vulnerabilities have raised serious questions about their defensive setup and mental resilience as they prepare for one of the toughest tests of the season.
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