Man City vs Feyenoord (3-3) Analysis – Feyenoord Exploits City’s Defensive Mistakes to Grab a Point

Manchester City’s struggles continued in dramatic fashion as they let a 3-0 lead slip, settling for a 3-3 draw against Feyenoord in a Champions League game that left the Etihad stunned. Erling Haaland’s penalty had given City the edge before halftime, with Ilkay Gündogan doubling the advantage early in the second half with a volley at the edge of the box. Haaland’s second goal, in the 53rd minute, appeared to put the game out of reach.

But the final quarter-hour was a collapse. Anis Hadj Moussa capitalized on a defensive mix-up to relaunch Feyenoord’s hopes, before Santiago Gimenez profited from more chaos to close the gap to one. By the 89th minute, David Hancko’s header coming from Igor Paixao’s play completed the unbelievable comeback.

The hosts, now winless in six games across all competitions, saw their defensive frailties exposed as Pep Guardiola’s frustrations boiled over on the touchline. Feyenoord, who showed opportunism, left Manchester with a point that seemed unthinkable after Haaland’s brace.

Switching Up To a More Direct Play

Trailing 3-0, Feyenoord’s response was swift. Manager Brian Priske’s switch to a more direct style of play proved essential. Instead of building patiently from the back, Feyenoord began bypassing City’s midfield entirely, exploiting spaces behind their high defensive line. Moussa’s goal illustrated this approach, as a long ball over the top disrupted City’s defense, forcing an error that the forward clinically punished.

This change in approach was paired with an aggressive pressing game. Feyenoord’s substitutes, particularly Santiago Gimenez and Jordan Lotomba, added fresh energy, pressing City high and forcing rushed decisions. The completion was Hancko’s equalizer, crafted from a long ball and Paixao’s composure under pressure.

The change in Feyenoord’s pressing is superbly illustrated by the statistics. As we can see, only three of their defensive actions in the first 45 minutes were in Manchester City’s half. This switched in the second part of the game, with their challenges in the opposing half becoming much more frequent.

Exploiting Manchester City’s High Line

Pep Guardiola’s philosophy of aggressive pressing and pinning opponents deep into their own half is foundational to Manchester City’s success. However, this same high line left City vulnerable against Feyenoord. Feyenoord’s first goal highlighted this.

City had pressed aggressively, shifting their formation towards the possession side of the pitch with their defensive line pushed up near. While Josko Gvardiol’s weak pass was the immediate error, the broader issue lay in City’s defensive structure. With much of the team shifted to the right to suffocate Feyenoord’s play, Anis Hadj Moussa found himself in acres of space on the opposite flank.

Moussa capitalized on the unguarded wing, exploiting the gap created by City’s overcommitment. It was a moment that underscored the inherent risks of Guardiola’s system, a gamble Feyenoord punished swiftly.

The equalizer tells the same story, but flipped. This time, Manchester City crowded the left flank. Of course, Feyenoord’s player on the other wing was completely free. But, this lateral shift of City’s formation allowed plenty of space in the centre, who was guarded by City’s fullback. So two players made a run in the centre, as the long pass was sent.

City’s high line compounded the problem. The defenders stepped up for a moment, hoping for an offside trap, but the lack of communication between them allowed Igor Paixao to be kept onside. Ederson’s decision to rush out and attempt to sweep the ball only made matters worse. Paixao easily bypassed him to deliver a decisive cross.

And what of the unmarked player on the far wing? David Hancko crashed the box, exploiting the ample space left on that wing to remain completely unmarked inside the box and bring home one point for Feyenoord.

Neglecting the Wide Spaces

Looking at Feyenoord’s first and last goals, we see the same pattern, of one player left out completely unmarked wide, as City’s formation shifted to the possession side of the pitch. In both instances, it happened with City aggressively pressing in Feyenoord’s half. But Feyenoord’s second goal tells the same story, but in City’s box.

City’s compact formation crowded the box and kept the line, giving three Feyenoord players times at the edge of the box. Even before the cross, we see Matheus Nunes marking Quinten Timber, as Jordan Lotomba was sitting undisturbed, laterally inside the box.

The cross was destined for Timber, but he failed to beat his defender with his run., But it was not in vain, as Lotomba’s positioning and the formation shift allowed him to cross it again for Gimenez, who simply pushed it uncontested right in front of the goal.

Conclusions

Although Manchester City controlled the game and dominated possession, their defensive mishaps shaped the outcome of this game. Although unbelievable, the Citizens blew a 3-0 lead at home, to continue their longest run without a victory since Pep Guardiola took over.

Although City are known for limiting their opponent’s chances by not giving them possession and chance to threaten their goal, they failed to prepare their defensive efforts. This costed them two points in the Champions League, as they are now in the 15th spot, and outside the top 8 spots that would directly put them in the playoffs.