English Premier League's pride Manchester City blew a three-goal lead. Manchester City led Feyenoord (the Netherlands) 3-0 in the fifth European Champions League (UCL) league phase of the 2024-2025 season at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, on the 27th (Korea time) and allowed three goals down to draw 3-3. Hwang In-beom, who started, played 93 minutes and was replaced in the 48th minute, the extra time in the second half.
Manchester City escaped from five consecutive losses, but it is a shocking draw. The start could not have been better. Manchester City took the lead in the 44th minute with Erling Holan's first goal. In the fifth minute of the second half, Ilkay Gündogan scored his second goal. Holan scored a multi-goal three minutes later.
In fact, the race seemed to be on the wane. But it wasn't over until it was over. Feyenoord scored a comeback goal in the 30th minute of the second half by Anis Haji Musa. Yoshko Gvardiol, who made a mistake against Tottenham on the 24th, provided an excuse for a loss with another clumsy back pass.
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Reuters Yonhap News
It was the prelude to a counterattack. Seven minutes later, Santiago Jimenez scored his second chasing goal with his body. And seven minutes later, in the 44th minute of the second half, David Hantzko equalized with a header.
Manchester City has been struggling in a winless swamp (one draw and five losses) for six consecutive games. Pep Guardiola, who renewed his two-year contract with Manchester City, suffered even more.
Guardiola suffered his first five consecutive losses in his manager's career, losing 0-4 to Tottenham, the previous game. 'Captain' Son Heung-min scored an assist to lead the attack.
Manchester City have had their worst losing streak since 2016. Except for the UCL and the Carabao Cup (League Cup), three consecutive EPL losses were the first report cards Guardiola received. In addition, there has never been a four-goal defeat at home in the EPL.
Feyenoord was also a nightmare. The result was a draw but a loss. For the first time since May 1963, City have been humiliated by scoring more than two goals in six consecutive games in all tournaments.
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EPA Yonhap News
Guardiola looked vain towards the end of the game. Manchester City finished 15th with two wins, two draws and one loss (8 points) in five UCL matches.
UCL has been changed to a league phase method since this season. After each team plays eight games (4 home games and 4 away games), the first to eighth places will go straight to the round of 16, and the ninth to 24th places will play the playoffs to determine the winners of the remaining tournament qualification. At this rate, Manchester City will have no choice but to fall into the play-off abyss.
Guardiola said on the 23rd, `I want to stay two more years, but if the result is not good, it may not be two years. We have legendary players on our team but if we don't get results, fans and the chairman ask what's going on and you have to change. Everyone is under pressure. I have a contract but I might not be here in a month" he said. His position was somewhat subtle.
Hwang In-beom faithfully played a role as a bridge between offense and defense in the first and second half, contributing to the draw. In soccer statistics, Hwang In-beom recorded one shot, a 91% pass success rate, one opportunity creation, 53 touches, and two tackles. The rating was an average of 6.9.
