Pep Guardiola Admits to Manchester City’s Defensive Fragility After Dramatic Feyenoord Draw
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged his team’s defensive vulnerabilities, describing them as “weak and fragile” after they surrendered a commanding 3-0 lead in the final 15 minutes to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League. The dramatic collapse marked a low point for the English Premier League champions, who continue to struggle with consistency this season.
The draw at the Etihad Stadium, while halting City’s five-game losing streak, failed to inspire confidence ahead of their high-stakes clash with Liverpool on Sunday. The frustration among City fans was evident as boos echoed around the stadium at the final whistle. Guardiola was candid in his post-match remarks, emphasizing his team’s lack of defensive stability. “We concede a lot of goals because we are not stable,” he said. “We are fragile, and we need a victory.”
City’s struggles are underscored by the fact that it was the first time since 1989 that they failed to win a match after leading by three goals and the first time ever such a collapse occurred in the final 15 minutes of a Champions League game. Erling Haaland’s two goals and Ilkay Gundogan’s deflected strike had put City in a dominant position, but Feyenoord capitalized on defensive lapses to secure a remarkable comeback.
With just two wins from their opening five Champions League matches, Guardiola’s side now face an uphill battle in their remaining group games against Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. City sit 15th in the 36-team standings with eight points, only one point ahead of Feyenoord in 20th place.
Domestically, the situation is no less dire. Liverpool currently hold an eight-point lead over City at the top of the Premier League. Guardiola has already conceded that an 11-point gap could be insurmountable, even for a side that has dominated English football with four consecutive league titles.
Despite the setbacks, Guardiola remains committed to his philosophy. “What should I change?” he asked defiantly. “We are big believers in the process and the fundamentals. In this moment, we have to stick to our principles and go direct to them.
As City look to recover, Guardiola’s unwavering belief in his methods will be tested in the coming weeks, both in Europe and the Premier League.
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