2 hours ago
1
A baffled Ilkay Gündogan described Manchester City’s form as “inexplicable” after they let a 3-0 lead with 75 minutes gone evaporate into a 3-3 draw against Feyenoord in Tuesday’s Champions League game at the Etihad.
An Erling Haaland double and a Gündogan goal put Pep Guardiola’s team in firm control as they looked to end a five-game losing run with a win. But two passing errors from Josko Gvardiol and an ill-judged rush out by Ederson allowed Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Giménez and David Hancko to score for the visitors and salvage a draw, the equaliser coming a minute from the end of regulation time.
Gündogan said: “The goals we conceded I think are inexplicable, in terms of the way we conceded them. There is only ourselves to blame. The situation, I don’t know, the way things are going right now, it is a bit inexplicable.
“Sometimes you will struggle in some games, no matter who the opponent is. Even when you play at home against a side you should dominate, you will concede chances because every team is good enough right now to create something. But then 75 minutes, 3-0 up and controlling the game, then ugh, giving it away so easily. They also were ruthless. It is probably more us to blame but they just punished us in every situation they got, scoring three goals. Obviously it is very tough to take.”
City are 15th in the 36-team Champions League table on eight points, with three games remaining for them but half the sides playing a game in hand on Wednesday night. Finishing in the top eight guarantees a last-16 berth and the next 16 teams go into playoffs.
Guardiola’s side travel to Liverpool on Sunday in the Premier League conscious that if they lose, Arne Slot’s leaders will pull 11 points ahead of them.
Guardiola issued a statement on Wednesday after saying after the match that “self-harm” had caused a cut on his nose. “I was caught off guard with a question at the end of a press conference last night about a scratch which had appeared on my face and explained that a sharp fingernail had accidentally caused this,” the manager said. “My answer was in no way intended to make light of the very serious issue of self-harm.
“I know that many people struggle with mental health issues every day, and I would like to take this moment to highlight one of the ways in people can seek help, by calling the Samaritans hotline on 116 123 or emailing [email protected].”
