Manchester City vs Feyenoord Analysis | Champions League 2024/25

The UEFA Champions League clash between Manchester City vs Feyenoord ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw, with plenty of tactical depth and individual brilliance on display. After a dominant first half by Pep Guardiola’s side, Feyenoord came storming back in the second half, leveling the score with some clinical pressure and quick counter-attacks. Notably, this result came on the back of an unique run for Guardiola, who had suffered five consecutive losses in all competitions prior to this game: something never before seen in his managerial career. This blog will analyze the key moments, tactical decisions, and player roles that shaped this intense encounter.

First Half: City’s Control and Feyenoord’s Defensive Setup

From the start of the Manchester City vs Feyenoord game, City looked to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game, with Lewis and Gundogan anchoring the midfield, and Foden often dropping into the central areas to link play. Guardiola’s setup was fluid, almost a 3-2-5 formation in possession, with Gvardiol, Ake, and Akanji forming the back three, while Lewis and Gundogan played more centrally in build-up, providing stability and distribution.

Feyenoord, on the other hand, opted for a compact, deep defensive block, aiming to frustrate City’s high-pressure game. Trauner and Hancko were crucial in keeping City’s forwards busy, with Nieuwkoop tightly marking Jack Grealish on the left, making it difficult for him to drift into space. The main defensive strategy for Feyenoord was to stay compact, closing down the central areas where City’s attacking players like Bernardo Silva and Foden were operating, forcing City to play through the middle.

However, despite dominating possession with 64%, City struggled to break Feyenoord’s defensive lines. Haaland had a header saved by Wellenreuther, and Foden had a shot blocked in a promising first half for City. The breakthrough came from a penalty after a clumsy incident involving Haaland being fouled in the box by Timber, which the striker confidently converted for his 45th Champions League goal.

Second Half: Feyenoord’s Response and City’s Vulnerability

The second half saw a shift in momentum as Feyenoord pressed higher and started creating chances. Hwang and Timber played a key role in organizing Feyenoord’s counter-attacks, directing the midfield and encouraging the team to push forward. As City’s high defensive line pushed even further up the field, Feyenoord found space on the wings, especially through Paixao and Hadj Moussa, who created several dangerous crosses into the box.

City’s tactical approach had been working initially with their attacking players like Grealish, Silva, and Foden were rotating, but without a real winger who has depth in his game, there was not much treat as Feyenoord kept the centre compact. But as Feyenoord’s press intensified, City became vulnerable. Gundogan’s deflected shot gave City a 2-0 lead, but the visitors’ tactical adaptation to press and exploit the wings turned the game on its head.

Haaland made it 3-0 with a well-timed run after a precise through-ball from Gundogan on Nunes who crossed it, but Feyenoord responded fiercely, scoring a goal through Hadj Moussa after a defensive mix-up from City. The game entered a tense period where Feyenoord’s pressing game began to pay off. Their high defensive line and quick combination play were rewarded with a second goal, as Gimenez finished off a well-worked attack to bring the scoreline to 3-2 after Lotomba passed the ball between Ederson and the goal post, putting Gimenez alone in front of the goal.

Then came the drama: Hancko equalized in the dying minutes, heading in a cross from Paixao, who played Ederson out smartly, leveling the score at 3-3 for Manchester City vs Feyenoord.

Tactical Breakdown: Manchester City vs Feyenoord

Manchester City’s Approach

Attacking Strategy: City’s formation was fluid, moving from a 3-2-5 when in possession to a more traditional 4-3-3 out of possession. With Lewis and Gundogan in midfield, City looked to dominate possession and pass through the lines, but the lack of depth on the wings left them vulnerable to the counter.

Wing Play: The absence of natural wingers like Doku and Savinho and Bernardo Silva’s shift to the wing meant City struggled to break down Feyenoord’s compact 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 block. Grealish and Silva worked in tandem but were often isolated, with Nieuwkoop keeping a tight leash on Grealish.

High Line: City played a very high defensive line, pushing up to almost the halfway line, leaving space behind for Feyenoord to exploit. The pace of Nunes and Haaland was often too much for Feyenoord’s defenders, but as the game wore on, their higher press caused issues for City.

Feyenoord’s Response

Compact Defense: Feyenoord’s defensive shape was key in numbing City’s offensive setup. Trauner and Hancko led the defense, with Nieuwkoop on the right ensuring Grealish couldn’t make his usual runs. Timber and Hwang held strong in midfield, disrupting City’s flow.

Pressing: As Feyenoord transitioned to a more offensive mindset, half way the first half, their pressing game became more intense. With Timber leading the charge, Feyenoord made it difficult for City to play out from the back. Feyenoord began to exploit spaces in the wings, and their quick counters put the City defense under pressure.

Counter-Attacks: Paixao and Hadj Moussa’s wide play was pivotal in stretching City’s defense. Feyenoord’s success came from hitting the flanks, with Gimenez and Carranza making intelligent runs, while Hwang dictated the tempo from midfield.

Conclusion: A Tale of Two Halves

In the end, Manchester City vs Feyenoord played out an intense 3-3 draw that saw City dominate possession but fail to fully capitalize on their chances. Feyenoord’s tactical adjustments, particularly their high press and increased width in attack, saw them storm back into the game. Despite some early defensive fragility, Feyenoord showed resilience and were able to get the draw, making the game a perfect example of how tactical shifts can turn the tide of a match.

For Guardiola, this result will be frustrating, especially with City failing to break down a well-drilled Feyenoord defense. Feyenoord will be pleased with their second-half performance, showing that patience, discipline, and pressing can trouble even the best teams in Europe.

Manchester City was focussed very much on building up centrally, while Feyenoord kept the centre very compact. Grealish and Silva were often left in space on the wings, which was not exploited by Manchester City. In this tactical plan, the full backs were playing in the midfield and in the centre back positions, which meant there was no player to overlap the wingers and take advantage of the space Feyenoord left on the wings.