by A baffled Ilkay Gündogan branded Manchester City’s form ‘inexplicable’ after they let a 3-0 lead with 75 minutes remaining evaporate into a 3-3 draw against Feyenoord in the Champions League match. Tuesday’s champions at the Etihad.
A brace from Erling Haaland and a goal from Gündogan put Pep Guardiola’s side in firm control as they looked to end a run of five defeats with a victory. But two passing errors from Josko Gvardiol and an ill-advised clearance from Ederson allowed Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Giménez and David Hancko to score for the visitors and salvage the draw, with the equalizer coming a minute from time regulation time.
Related: Guardiola worries City ‘fragile’ after losing 3-0 in last 15 minutes
Gündogan said: “I think the goals we conceded are inexplicable, considering the way we conceded them. We only have ourselves to blame. The situation, I don’t know, the way things are evolving at the moment, it’s a little inexplicable.
“Sometimes you will struggle in certain matches, regardless of the opponent. Even when you play at home against a team you should dominate, you will concede chances because every team is good enough at the moment to create something. But then 75 minutes, 3-0 and controlling the game, then ugh, betraying him so easily. They were also ruthless. It’s probably more our fault, but they just punished us in every situation, scoring three goals. Obviously, this is very difficult to accept.
City are 15th in the 36-team Champions League standings with eight points, with three matches remaining. Finishing in the top eight guarantees a spot in the final 16 and the next 16 teams will make the playoffs.
Guardiola’s side travel to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, aware that if they lose, Arne Slot’s leaders will be 11 points ahead of them.
