by Pep Guardiola called Manchester City’s 3-3 draw against Feyenoord “tough to swallow” and admitted he understood the boos that greeted the final whistle after his side blew a 3-0 lead in the last 15 minutes.
City have at least avoided a sixth successive defeat, but the manner in which they squandered a decisive advantage will do little to calm nerves in and around the club ahead of Sunday’s trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool.
City looked in complete control after a double from Erling Haaland and another from Ilkay Gundogan put them three ahead seven minutes into the second half, but after Anis Hadj Moussa grabbed one back in the 75th minute, City imploded.
“It is what it is, difficult to swallow at the moment,” Guardiola said. “The game was good, we played well, we scored three and could have scored more. We do everything and then we give up, especially the first one, and then we’re not stable enough to do it.
“It’s not about not running or not committing, but in football you have to be [switched on] at certain times to do so.
Santiago Gimenez got Feyenoord’s second goal in the 82nd minute and David Hancko equalized in spectacular fashion in the 89th, making City the first team in Champions League history to lead 3-0 in the 75th minute of a match and not to win.
Some City fans, who suffered 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 fans were there, applauding,” he said. “They are disappointed of course and we understand that.
“People don’t come here to remember past successes, they come here to see the team win and perform well. I’m not the one when the situation is bad or good [to say] what they should do.
“These fans, when we go, our fans are incredible, travel. There is nothing that can be done and they are right to express how they feel.
Guardiola’s own frustrations were evident given the number of scratches visible on his head after the match. The Catalan arrived on the ground with a cut on his nose, which he said was caused by a long nail.
City must now travel to Anfield to face former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot’s Liverpool side, whose name was chanted by visiting fans during the match.
“Everyone knows the situation, I have absolutely nothing to add,” Guardiola said. “We will train tomorrow, recover and prepare for the next match. Day off and we have two or three days to get this ready and go. We will learn for the future and what has been.
“It will be a difficult season for us and we have to accept it in many circumstances.”
Feyenoord’s late response sparked jubilant scenes outside.
“I think if you come from Feyenoord it was an incredible night,” said head coach Brian Priske.
“A strange game ending 3-3, which is an incredible result for us and also remarkable in the sense of being 3-0 down in the 75th minute away against still, for me, the best team in the world.
“We don’t normally celebrate draws, but this one is a bit special.”
