On Tuesday, Manchester City’s winless streak hit six games in a manner that left fans in disbelief. Pep Guardiola’s side, in a historic collapse, threw away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League. This marked the first time a team had blown a three-goal lead after the 75th minute in a UCL match, as recorded by Opta.
From dominance to disaster, this performance highlighted the void left by Rodri’s injury and deeper cracks forming in Guardiola’s once-invincible team.
From Commanding to Catastrophic
For 75 minutes, City looked like the European powerhouse they’ve been for years. They dominated Feyenoord, taking 14 shots and hitting the target seven times. Erling Haaland was poised to steal the headlines, scoring twice to break another record as the fastest player to 50 goal involvements in Champions League history.
But Feyenoord had other ideas. Anis Hadj-Moussa’s 76th-minute goal flipped the script, igniting a stunning 13-minute blitz. Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko capitalised on City’s unravelling defence, completing one of the most shocking comebacks in Champions League history.
City’s dominance turned to despair in a manner that felt uncharacteristic yet disturbingly familiar for fans watching this season unfold.
Rodri’s Absence Is Just the Start
The loss of Rodri to an ACL injury in September has been a defining blow for City. The Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder, who is not just the heart of Guardiola’s tactics but also the glue holding the entire system together, has left a noticeable void. However, attributing the current freefall solely to Rodri’s absence would be oversimplifying a deeper problem.
City’s attack is sputtering. Despite creating high-quality chances—averaging an expected goal (xG) of 2.2 per game—the team has dropped from 2.6 goals per match last season to just 2.0 this season. Erling Haaland is still firing with 15 goals so far, but his output now accounts for 38% of City’s goals, up from 26% last season. Supporting stars like Phil Foden, who scored 27 times last year, are struggling to keep pace, and the summer departure of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid left a hole City never filled.
Defensive Collapse Adds to the Misery
City’s defensive woes have been equally damaging. During this six-game winless streak, they’ve conceded 18 goals, including seven in just their last two games. Sloppy individual errors have piled up, and the absence of injured goalkeeper Ederson has only made matters worse.
The numbers tell the story: City conceded 1.4 goals per game this season, up from 0.9 last year. For a team built on precision and control, these lapses at the back are as alarming as their stuttering attack.
Is the Guardiola Era at a Crossroads?
This run of form feels like more than a temporary slump—it’s starting to look like the end of an era. Guardiola opted not to overhaul his squad in the summer, instead relying on his core group to deliver one last masterpiece. But with an aging roster and critical injuries piling up, this version of City may no longer have the edge that once made them unstoppable.
There’s still time to turn things around. Guardiola remains one of football’s great tacticians, and City have shown resilience in the past. They’re eight points behind Liverpool in the Premier League but not out of the race. A deep run in the Champions League is still within reach, and the January transfer window offers an opportunity to reinforce.
Liverpool Showdown Looms Large
Sunday’s showdown against Liverpool now feels like a defining moment. Can City halt their slide against one of the league’s form teams? Or will this poor run stretch further, eroding the confidence underpinning Guardiola’s dynasty?
One thing is certain: this six-game winless streak is not just a blip. It’s a clear warning sign that the City we’ve known for years—relentless, dominant, and unshakeable—may no longer exist. For Guardiola, the time to find solutions is running out. The need to address these issues is urgent to maintain City’s competitive edge.
A new chapter in City’s history could begin as early as Sunday. Whether it’s a resurgence or a reckoning remains to be seen.
