Kolkata: Erling Haaland had scored on both facet of half-time and between the Norwegian’s objectives, Ilkay Guendogan’s sweetly struck left-footer took a deflection beating the spectacular Timon Wellenreuther in Feyenoord’s purpose. After Saturday’s rout by Spurs, Manchester Metropolis have been exhibiting England, Europe and the world that their dwelling was a fortress once more.
Manchester Metropolis defender Josko Gvardiol. (AFP)
Wellenreuther denied Haaland early by attending to his header. He then flew to the opposite facet to maintain out a Phil Foden shot. In hindsight, it should really feel like the dearth of innovative, one thing that has bothered Metropolis by way of all their latest defeats. In actual time it didn’t.
When Haaland scored from the penalty he received for a foul by Quinten Timber, he celebrated by kicking the ball once more. “With some feeling,” mentioned the commentator. Then got here the fast second-half objectives and by the 53rd minute, the gloom had lifted. The swagger was again, nobody had seen the stumble coming.
How might they? As per Opta, by no means in Champions League had a group main 3-0 until the seventy fifth minute not received. 3-0 is when Pep Guardiola provides bench gamers recreation time. Over the previous two seasons it has been the Metropolis supervisor’s manner of conveying that the match was sewn up. So, in got here Kevin de Bruyne, James McAtee and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, the final named being eased into the Champions League after a tough outing towards Sporting Lisbon when Ruben Amorim mentioned “obrigado” with such flourish.
Not since 1963, after they have been relegated, had Metropolis conceded no less than two objectives in six successive matches. Anis Hadj-Moussa, Santiago Jimenez and David Hancko ensured they did on Tuesday.
If, after 5 successive losses, 3-3 ever felt like a defeat will probably be this for a group that has not seemed so susceptible since changing into serial Premier League champions. “Fragile,” mentioned Guardiola.
Towards Spurs, there have been passes from Savinho and Bernardo Silva that went nowhere in a manner that was paying homage to Casemiro towards Liverpool. However Josko Gvardiol’s mind fade resulting in Hadj-Moussa strike is emblematic of what’s fallacious with Metropolis.
Gvardiol had a breakout 2022 World Cup, carrying the ball ahead with confidence uncommon in somebody who was not but 21. An entire defender, he would be the subsequent massive factor, Igor Stimac mentioned earlier than the video games started in Doha. All the pieces the previous India coach had mentioned was borne out by how Gvardiol led Croatia’s defensive position. Besides when Lionel Messi shocked him with pace earlier than sending him down blind alleys.
Since becoming a member of Manchester Metropolis in 2023-24, Gvardiol has hardly ever put a foot fallacious. This time period, he scored thrice within the Premier League and, although not his most well-liked place, has adjusted to the left again place. His dropping the ball towards Spurs for James Maddison’s first purpose subsequently was a shock. Simply as his poor back-pass to Ederson on Tuesday.
“I don’t know if it is mental. The first goal cannot happen, the second as well,” mentioned Guardiola after the match. For Jimenez chesting dwelling, Gvardiol misplaced a 2-1 duel, failing to win a header. He and Matheus Nunes went for a similar ball resulting in the transfer that fetched the third purpose.
Ederson can be due his share of the blame for the objectives. Metropolis have leaked 17 objectives of their final six matches in all competitions.
Anticipated to supply width, Gvardiol was a menace when Metropolis attacked. However for Wellenreuther, he might have made it 4-0 within the 54th. However like with Kyle Walker towards Spurs, when Metropolis lacked legs in midfield, the duty of being efficient on each ends of the pitch is proving to be an excessive amount of for the total backs. “He will learn,” Guardiola mentioned, refusing accountable one participant for Metropolis’s collapse.
Shedding management of the midfield is so in contrast to Guardiola’s Metropolis that it feels unreal when it occurs. Groups are taking part in by way of Metropolis, and all night time there have been gaps for Feyenoord to take advantage of. Lack of depth within the midfield is an issue that value Erik ten Hag the job on the opposite facet of Manchester, one Amorim has mentioned will take time fixing. With out Rodri and Mateo Kovacic, and with Guendogan now 34, Metropolis are porous within the center.
When Metropolis received the treble, Rodri had performed 52 matches, essentially the most underneath Guardiola since Lionel Messi’s 57 in 2011-12. Dominated out for the season with damage, Rodri can’t be changed, Guardiola has mentioned greater than as soon as. Ten of Metropolis’s first 13 objectives in 2024-25 got here from Haaland however that was when Rodri was obtainable.
Although Metropolis scored extra objectives than any group in Europe’s high 5, Guardiola, requested what made 2022-23 so profitable, had pointed to enhancements in defence. “Even when we make mistakes, we have the feeling that we are solid,” he had mentioned.
Minimize to the current when Guardiola mentioned: “We cannot close the games and everytime they arrived, they scored.”
Metropolis are fifteenth within the standings, two factors off the highest eight who will qualify robotically to the spherical of 16.