Pep Guardiola makes shock Man City claim after 3-3 draw v Feyenoord

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City have a ‘tough season’ ahead of them as the Blues fell to a sixth game in a row without victory.

City had looked set to beat Feyenoord on Tuesday when they led by three goals in the final stages. But a remarkable capitulation saw Guardiola’s side give away three goals and drop points in the Champions League.

City became the first side in the competition’s history to allow a three-goal lead to slip from the 75th minute, in a performance that underlines how much the team are struggling mentally and how bereft of confidence they currently look. Speaking after the game, Guardiola said he was happy with the display for long spells but admitted for the second game in a row that it was a ‘fragile’ showing from his team.

“It was not necessary to say anything to them, they know it perfectly. Three episodes, they didn’t allow us what we needed to win for many reasons, not just in terms of qualification or get the points to go through.

“It is difficult to swallow right now. The game was good, we played well, we scored three and could have scored more. We do everything and then we give away, especially the first one, after we are not stable enough to do it. It’s not about no run or no commitment, but football you have to be [switched on] in certain moments to do it.

“We will learn for the future and what has been has been. It will be a tough season for us and we have to accept it for many circumstances. Today, unfortunately, the game was well done and we couldn’t punish them in the right moment.

“The team was so committed in many many things but unfortunately in the moment something happens and we are not strong enough. We have to try and avoid those mistakes.”

For the second game in a row, Josko Gvardiol was at fault for two goals. It’s an alarming run for the player who has been one of City’s most reliable defenders in recent years. For that reason, Guardiola refused to criticise the 22-year-old.

“He is so young, he will learn. It will be a good experience. The way he has played - he was the best player on the pitch [before the first goal] but I will be so wrong if I point specific thing for our defeat.

“He is young and he will learn. He is a fantastic player, fantastic boy and now more than ever must be helped.”

The result leaves City in 15th place in the Champions League - a position that will probably drop after Wednesday’s fixtures. It’s likely the 2023 European champions will have to win all of their last three league games to secure a top-eight finish and automatic qualification to the last-16 stage.