Table of Contents
ANPSantiago Gimenez runs back after his goal
NOS Voetbal•gisteren, 22:54
Feyenoord has pulled off a stunt in the Champions League against top club Manchester City with a fantastic comeback. Although the Rotterdam team seemed to be heading for a hard defeat for a long time, Feyenoord fought back from 3-0 to a spectacular 3-3 in the last fifteen minutes.
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The team of coach Brian Priske had more hope than ever for a result in advance. City had had an exceptional series of five defeats in a row.
Although the Dane himself knew that those results would not guarantee important bonus points on Tuesday evening. “As far as I’m concerned, City are still the best team in the world.”
This was evident in spurts in the opening phase of the match. With Aké in the starting line-up, the English immediately tried to put pressure on Feyenoord.
Goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther was preferred by Priske to Justin Bijlow, who had returned from injury, and made his presence felt in the opening phase. Both positive and less positive.
Wellenreuther performed strongly on Erling Haaland’s header. After the shot hit the post, the keeper was able to tap the ball out of the goal and then he also managed to deflect Phil Foden’s shot from the corner.
AFPWellenreuther in action against Manchester City
But fear also crept in among the Feyenoord fans when the goalkeeper simply gave Bernardo Silva the ball during the build-up. The cross to Jack Grealish was then good, but the Englishman fired the ball over the goal via Foden.
Haaland hits from the spot
Feyenoord presented a little bit of danger with Igor Paixão. The Brazilian first shot wildly over, but was then allowed to build up a great opportunity. After a good attack, Paixão went alone at goalkeeper Ederson, but the attacker shot too hastily into the hands of his compatriot.
Feyenoord seemed to be getting into the match a little better, but City still took the lead a minute before half-time.
ReutersHaaland goes down after a tap from Timber
Quinten Timber wanted to clear a ball from the penalty area, but kicked Haaland down. The Norwegian striker stood behind the ball himself and shot the English top club to 1-0 with his 45th Champions League goal (in 44 matches).
City pushes hard after the break
Although there was a deficit on the boards, the Feyenoorders will not have thought that they had to despair during the tea break. That changed quite quickly after half-time, when City increased the score considerably within ten minutes.
First a corner kick was headed into the feet of Ilkay Gündogan. The German midfielder had no doubts and fired the ball towards goal. The second City goal flew against the ropes via the feet of Dávid Hancko.
Barely recovered from that second goal, it was Haaland again who hurt Feyenoord. The Norwegian super striker scored the 3-0 on a pass from Matheus Nunes. Feyenoord had to be careful in that phase that the score did not rise much further.
ReutersErling Haaland celebrates his second goal
That didn’t happen. In fact, Feyenoord came completely back into the match. First of all, it was Anis Hadj Moussa who signed for the 3-1 when City defender Josko Gvardiol wanted to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper, but the Croat did so far too nonchalantly.
Comeback Feyenoord completed
Hadj Moussa caught the back pass, rounded the Brazilian keeper and neatly shot the 3-1 against the ropes. Then Santiago Giménez also made it 3-2. After two months of injuries, the Mexican scored the 3-2 with his chest on a pass from Jordan Lotomba.
Feyenoord seemed to believe in it completely again. And rightly so, as it turned out. Paixão correctly assessed a deep pass and reached the ball earlier than goalkeeper Ederson. He managed to pass the ball to Hancko, who headed the 3-3 against the ropes.
ReutersHancko heads the 3-3 against the ropes
Manchester City failed to win for the sixth game in a row, but what is even more important is that Feyenoord achieved a great result at a top European club. This way, the hope for the next round of the Champions League remains alive.
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Considering Feyenoord’s underdog status and City’s recent struggles, **how effectively did Feyenoord adapt their tactics to exploit City’s vulnerabilities while mitigating their own weaknesses?**
## Feyenoord’s Comeback: A Discussion with Experts
**Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re joined by [GUEST 1 NAME], a renowned football analyst, and [GUEST 2 NAME], former professional footballer and current commentator, to dissect Feyenoord’s astonishing 3-3 draw against Manchester City.**
**I. Setting the Stage: City’s Struggles and Feyenoord’s Optimism**
* **[GUEST 1 NAME]:** Despite City’s recent struggles, they remain a formidable opponent. How did Feyenoord manage to approach this game with such confidence, knowing City’s reputation and pedigree?
* **[GUEST 2 NAME]:** Given your experience, what do you think Brian Priske’s strategy was going into this match? Did they target specific weaknesses in Manchester City’s recent performances?
* **[GUEST 1 NAME]:** What impact did City’s poor form likely have on their players’ mentality? Could Feyenoord capitalize on any perceived vulnerabilities?
**II. Early Pressure and Goalkeeper Dilemmas**
* **[GUEST 2 NAME]:** How would you evaluate Timon Wellenreuther’s performance? Was he a source of stability or a potential liability for Feyenoord, especially considering the initial pressure from City?
* **[GUEST 1 NAME]:** The article highlights a risky pass from Wellenreuther early in the game. Does this kind of mistake highlight the high stakes and pressure faced by goalkeepers in these crucial matches?
* **[GUEST 2 NAME]:** Looking at both sides, do you think the initial exchanges revealed any strategic intentions or tactical weaknesses that may have influenced the trajectory of the game?
**III. Haaland’s Dominance and Feyenoord’s Determination**
* **[GUEST 1 NAME]:** Erling Haaland has been unstoppable in the Champions League. Could anything have been done differently to contain his threat in the first half?
* **[GUEST 2 NAME]:** Feyenoord showed remarkable resilience after going two goals down. What psychological factors contributed to their ability to maintain composure and fight back?
* **[GUEST 1 NAME]:** Do you think City became complacent after taking a commanding lead, ultimately contributing to Feyenoord’s comeback?
**IV. The Sensational Comeback and its Implications**
* **[GUEST 2 NAME]:** How crucial were the individual performances of players like Hadj Moussa and Giménez in sparking the turnaround?
* **[GUEST 1 NAME]:** Considering the context, how significant is this draw for Feyenoord’s chances of progressing in the Champions League?
* **[GUEST 2 NAME]:** What lessons can other teams learn from Feyenoord’s performance? Does this show that even against seemingly insurmountable odds, tenacity and belief can lead to remarkable results?
**Concluding Remarks:**
Thank you both for sharing your insightful perspectives on this captivating match. This draw will surely be remembered as a symbol of resilience and an inspiration for any team facing seemingly insurmountable odds.
