Manchester City 3 Feyenoord 3: City player ratings as City’s frailties are again exposed | OneFootball

Manchester City 3 (Erling the Haaland 44′ (P), Ilkay Gundogan 50′, Erling Haaland 53′)

Feyenoord 3 (Anis Hadj Moussa 75′, Santiago Gimenez 82′, David Hankco 89′)

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City drew 3-all with Feyenoord at the Etihad. That statement alone doesn’t do justice to what transpired tonight. Manchester City dominated the game for the first hour and looked to be cruising to a much-needed win when they were up 3-nil. The three changes to the starting lineup that was well beaten by Tottenham looked to have the desired effect. For over an hour, City looked like themselves. That was until some calamitous defending allowed Feyenoord back in the game.

But 15 minutes of madness cost Manchester City and Feyenoord took full advantage. City’s late collapse doesn’t bode well for this weekend’s trip to Anfield to play Liverpool. City’s defensive frailties cost them dearly and they are now a major concern for Pep Guardiola.

Here are the City player ratings and match report from a bewildering Champions League fixture. The City player ratings reflect two players in particular who should have done more to prevent City’s late collapse.

First half

Manchester City began the game brightly by dominating possession and keeping Feyenoord pinned back. Although the threat of a Feyenoord counter was always ever present early. City’s best chance came to Erling Haaland. His 10th-minute header from a Manuel Akanji cross hit the bar and the rebound was gathered up by Feyenoord keeper Timo Wellenreuther.

Two minutes later an errant pass by Wellenreuther saw Bernardo Silva seize possession in a dangerous area. His cross from City’s right-hand side found Jack Grealish but his rasping goal-bound volley hit Phil Foden and deflected wide. But there was an energy to City’s play in the first 15 minutes which has been lacking in recent games.

Manchester City’s next opportunity came in the 22nd minute. Following an Igor Paixào volley that went over the bar for Feyenoord a long goal kick from Ederson was seized upon by Phil Foden. His shot from the edge of the area was well saved by Wellenreuther. Manchester City were getting closer to opening the scoring.

Following City’s early dominance Feyenoord grew into the game. The visitors started to get more possession and looked to get forward when they could. In the 32nd minute, they carved out a decent opportunity, but Igor Paixào’s shot was easily saved by Ederson after a nice passing move. The ease in which they carved through City’s defence was a concern.

The game had settled into a holding period after Igor Paixào’s chance. That changed in the 41st minute as a foul on Erling Haaland from Feyenoord midfielder Antoni Milambo after a goal-mouth scramble from a corner saw Manchester City earn a penalty. A lengthy VAR check confirmed the foul on City’s number 9. Haaland emphatically dispatched the spot kick to give Manchester City the lead, and on the balance of play, it was a lead they deserved.

The remainder of the half played out without incident and Manchester City took a 1-nil lead into the interval.

Second half

The second half began with Manchester City looking to add a second goal to give themselves breathing space. A flowing move in the 48th minute resulted in a stinging Matheus Nunes shot that was well saved by Timo Wellenreuther behind for a corner.

From the resulting corner, the ball was only half-cleared, and the ball fell to Ilkay Gundogan on the edge of the area. He fired his volley into the back of the net with the aid of a deflection. Now Manchester City had the breathing space that their play deserved.

It got even better for Manchester City in the 53rd minute. Another swift attacking move saw Matheus Nunes played in with acres of space on City’s right-hand side. His ball was fired across the area and Erling Haaland was on hand to tap it in to make it 3-nil.

Manchester City were cruising up until the 75th minute. A poor back pass from Josko Gvardiol was seized upon by Anis Hadj Moussa and he rounded Ederson to tap in for Feyenoord. It was a poor lapse from Gvardiol and it is becoming something he must eradicate from his game. Pep Guardiola’s frustration on the bench perfectly summed up that piece of play.

Feyenoord pulled another goal 7 minutes later to make it a nervy finale to the game for Manchester City. It was Josko Gvardiol again who cheaply gave away possession in a dangerous area of the pitch. Feyenoord seized upon the opening, and Santiago Gimenez made it 3-2 with a tap-in. In truth, it was poor from Gvardiol and poor keeping from Ederson, which gave Feyenoord a lifeline.

Kevin De Bruyne saw an effort from outside the box well saved by Timo Wellenreuther in the 85th minute. The world champions were pressing to put the game to bed.

But it got worse for Manchester City. A lot worse as Feyenoord made it 3-all on the evening. A simple ball over the top of the City played in Igor Paixào. The Brazilian winger rounded Ederson who was caught in no man’s land. His ball was played across the box and David Hankco tapped in to make it 3-all. All of Manchester City’s defensive frailties were exposed in a 15-minute spell of poor defending. Feyenoord deserve credit for their fight back but Manchester City had dug the hole for themselves.

A minute later Jack Grealish saw a deflected effort hit the crossbar as City pressed for a winner. It was now desperate times for Pep Guardiola’s side in a game they should’ve put out of reach.

Manchester City pressed for a late winner but it wasn’t forthcoming. In the end, they had to settle for a three-all draw. In truth they only have themselves to blame as they threw away a three goal lead. Questions have to be asked of Josko Gvardiol and Ederson especially.

Here are the City player ratings from another frustrating evening at the Etihad.

City player ratings

Ederson- 4/10: Could do little about Feyenoord’s first goal. But his efforts for their second and third left a lot to be desired. A poor night for the usually reliable Ederson.

Rico Lewis-6/10: He played well but then was helpless like his teammates when the late collapse occurred.

Manuel Akanji- 6/10: When paired with Ake he played well. But, like Lewis was helpless to prevent City’s late collapse. He neededgame’sffer more leadership in the games closing stages.

Nathan Ake-7/10: A composed performance from Ake. Looks to be returning to full fitness and that is crucial for Manchester City.

Josko Gvardiol- 3/10: His first half was brilliant as he made several key interceptions. But that was undone in the second half as he made two errors that let Feyenoord back in the game. He must improve his concentration quickly.

Ilkay Gundogan-7.5/10: Gundogan got caught in possession a few times in the first half, but his second-half performance was the Gundogan we all know. His goal should do his confidence the world of good. A positive performance from Gundogan.

Bernardo Silva- 6.5/10:  He was dangerous in the first half but faded out of the game after City went 3-nil up. Bernardo will be fuming as City’s captain on the night with what occurred late.

Matheus Nunes- 7.5/10: A quality display from Nunes. He added energy to City’s midfield and picked up an assist for Haaland’s second of the night. Must start against Liverpool.

Phil Foden-7/10: Much better from Foden. His touch was there in a lively display. He had one shot well-saved, but his overall performance was good.

Jack Grealish-6/10: City were more balanced with Grealish in the starting lineup. He faded out of the game late but nearly won it when his deflected effort hit the crossbar.

Erling Haaland-8/10: Scored two and was a threat all, night. Unfortunately for Haaland his team’s defensive frailties cost them. He couldn’t do much more to lead City to a win.

Substitutes

Kevin De Bruyne- 6/10: He looked lively but he was helpless as City fell apart. He must start at Anfield as the champions lack leadership.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey-5/10: It seems harsh on Simpson-Pusey to get a 5 but he was on the pitch for City’s collapse. That isn’t on him but he’d have hoped to be better when he came on and his rating reflects City’s late collapse.

James McAtee- 5/10: He didn’t offer a lot when he came on. That was a shame as he needed to show more.