Nathan Ake Reveals What Went Wrong in Man City’s 3-3 Feyenoord Draw

Manchester City’s turbulent season continued as they lose a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League. Despite dominating for much of the match at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s side conceded three late goals in a stunning collapse that raises questions about their form and mentality.

This result, coming just days after a humbling 4-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, extends City’s winless streak to six games. Defender Nathan Ake, who was substituted after 69 minutes, candidly addressed the team’s failings post-match.

A Stunning Collapse at the Etihad

Manchester City appeared to be cruising to a much-needed victory after establishing a comfortable 3-0 lead early in the second half. Goals from Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, and Erling Haaland had the home crowd in high spirits. However, Feyenoord, showing incredible resilience, fought back with three goals in the final 20 minutes to stun the reigning Champions League winners.

Nathan Ake, speaking to Amazon Prime Video Sport after the match, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings:

“It’s difficult. We were 3-0 up, playing well, and in control, but then it all changed. We didn’t stay strong mentally. At 3-1, they pushed, and we didn’t react quickly enough. Staying at the back invited more pressure.”

Mental Toughness in Question

When asked if City “gave the game away,” Ake didn’t hold back:

“Yes, I think we did. At home, with a 3-0 lead, you can never let this happen. It feels like a defeat. We have to stay strong and look forward to the next game. Liverpool is coming, and it’s another challenge.”

Ake also hinted at a possible mental block affecting the team:

“Maybe it is. We’ve not been in this situation often, but this is where we need to show character. When everything seems against us, we have to stick together and prove ourselves.”

Stuart Pearce: “City Will See This as a Defeat”

Former Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce shared his astonishment at the result, emphasizing how uncharacteristic this performance was for Guardiola’s team:

 “I’ve seen City dominate at this stadium many times, but this was shocking. The high line, the individual errors—everything fell apart in the second half. Feyenoord’s persistence deserves credit, but City will see this as a defeat.”

What Went Wrong for City?

Manchester City’s capitulation can be attributed to several factors:

1. Lack of Defensive Focus: The high line, a hallmark of Guardiola’s style, became a liability late in the game as Feyenoord exploited gaps.

2. Mental Fragility: Conceding the first goal rattled City, and they failed to regain composure as Feyenoord piled on the pressure.

3. Tactical Choices: Ake suggested that City’s reluctance to press higher up the pitch invited trouble, a departure from their usual aggressive approach.

This draw leaves City in a precarious position as they prepare for upcoming matches against Liverpool, Manchester United, and Aston Villa in the Premier League, as well as a critical Champions League clash with Juventus.

Can City Bounce Back?

For a team accustomed to dominating domestic and European competitions, this poor run of form feels unfamiliar. Guardiola’s side must rediscover their winning mentality quickly, especially with their Premier League title defense under threat and their Champions League campaign hanging in the balance.

Nathan Ake’s words reflect the sentiment of a squad under pressure:

“Every season, there’s a time when people write us off. This is our moment to stay strong and prove them wrong.”

With Liverpool up next, City faces a pivotal moment. A strong response could reignite their season, while another setback could deepen the crisis.

For now, the defending champions find themselves at a crossroads, needing answers and inspiration to turn their fortunes around.