Feyenoord caused a sensation in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Manchester City seemed to put an end to the dramatic series of five defeats in a row against the Rotterdam team, but the team of coach Brian Priske set itself up in a spectacular way in the last fifteen minutes and managed to pull out a draw.
Feyenoord had not lost an away match since the Champions League match in December last year, not including the penalty shootout against AS Roma in the Europa League at the beginning of this year. However, it soon became clear that this wonderful series might come to an end. City was keen to put an end to Pep Guardiola’s unique run of five consecutive losses, which started at the beginning of this month with the beating against Sporting Portugal (4-1) and reached a new low last Saturday against Tottenham Hotspur (0-4). ).
Erling Haaland has scored remarkably little in recent weeks and was only accurate once against Brighton & Hove Albion in the painful series for City. Against Feyenoord, the Norwegian goalgetter was close to the opening goal early on. The 1.95 meter tall striker knocked the fit Gernot Trauner into the air. The ball stayed out of the goal via the post and the hands of Timon Wellenreuther. A little later, the German goalkeeper once again lived up to Priske’s confidence, who still preferred him to Justin Bijlow. He made a great save to stop Phil Foden from scoring.
That chance for Foden arose after Feyenoord lost the ball in the build-up. Although City often trapped the Rotterdam visitors in their own half early on, Priske’s team continued to try to play through from behind. That only worked to a limited extent. Much more often, Feyenoord stood with all eleven players in its own half. However, they increasingly succeeded in defusing City’s attacks. Dávid Hancko, for example, had an excellent block when Haaland wanted to take a swing. Some possibilities even arose. For example, Igor Paixão did too little with a free shooting opportunity.
Penalty
Just when half time was approaching, things still went wrong for Feyenoord. Quinten Timber, ready to play again after his physical discomfort in recent weeks, tapped Haaland in the penalty area for a corner. Referee Radu Petrescu had no choice but to point to the spot and the Norwegian striker did not let that opportunity be denied him. With an impeccable penalty he sent Wellenreuther into the wrong corner. The relief at the Etihad Stadium was palpable. After a month without victories, another victory beckoned for City, where the loss of Rodri makes itself felt.
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Because Mateo Kovacic is now sidelined in addition to Rodri, Guardiola was forced to choose Ilkay Gündogan as midfield controller against Feyenoord. The Spanish tactician prefers to let the German veteran play further forward because of his sense of position. Yet it was Gündogan who made City cheer again just after the break. After a deflected corner, the midfielder, who had returned from Barcelona, scored with the necessary fortune via Hancko. It was a blow for Feyenoord so soon after the break, after holding out for so long in the first half.
Gift
The feeling that there was something to be achieved at City completely disappeared when Haaland also made it 3-0 a few minutes later after an impressive sprint. The 24-year-old attacker tapped the ball in from a cross from Matheus Nunes. After that, the English champion slowed down and only Josko Gvardiol was still dangerous with a bang on Wellenreuther’s fists. Feyenoord got breath and eventually hope again when the same Gvardiol unintentionally brought Anis Hadj Moussa into position with a laconic back pass. The Algerian passed Ederson and unwrapped the present.
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Guardiola watched the scene from the bench cursing, because the goal conceded was exactly not what City could use. With the five defeats in a row in mind, uncertainty crept into the team and Feyenoord could actually dream of a stunt thanks to substitutes Jordan Lotomba and Santiago Giménez. Lotomba shot the ball from Paixão’s cross against the inside of the post and Giménez netted the rebound. Seven minutes later the unthinkable happened when Paixão escaped the offside trap and Hancko headed home in front of the open goal: 3-3.
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The desperation was evident on the faces of the City players at that moment. After the 3-0, Guardiola had already brought in Nathan Aké, Foden and Gündogan, thinking that victory was in the bag. Now the plagued had to Citizens still chasing victory in the final phase. Jack Grealish hit the crossbar, but the excellent goalkeeping Wellenreuther prevented a fourth goal, causing City to suffer another blow. Feyenoord has given itself a huge boost and, after the victories over Girona (2-3) and Benfica (1-3), impressed again in an away match in the CL.
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