Feyenoord pulled off a sensational comeback at the Etihad Stadium, battling back from a 3-0 deficit to secure a 3-3 draw against Manchester City in the Champions League.
Captain Quinten Timber credited the fans for their unwavering support, calling them “our twelfth man.”
Timber Reflects on Extraordinary Match
“It was a hard-fought point. With that score, you don’t expect to be able to come back,” Timber told Ziggo Sport. Goals from Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Giménez, and Dávid Hancko ensured a result few thought possible.
“Still, I had the feeling at 3-1 that something could happen. That says a lot about this team. The first fifteen minutes were tough, but at a certain point, you started to get pressure. So we went into halftime with the idea that we could put more pressure now and then.”
The tactical shift had mixed results. “You know that when you’re one or two seconds too late against such a good team, you can concede twice in quick succession,” Timber admitted. “After that, we started playing closer together and wanted to become dangerous from there.”
The resilience paid off. “This is mentality; this is playing as a family. Whatever happens, don’t give up. The fans go wild at every away game, and we feel that on the pitch. That’s our twelfth man.”
Van Hooijdonk Praises Feyenoord’s Grit
Former striker Pierre van Hooijdonk was full of admiration for Feyenoord’s performance, calling it a “sensational comeback” on Ziggo Sport. “Feyenoord already defended themselves wonderfully,” he said, noting their attempts to play out from under City’s relentless pressure.
Van Hooijdonk pointed to a pivotal mistake by Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol, which led to Anis Hadj Moussa’s 3-1 goal. “Moussa anticipated wonderfully and finished it off really well. He did what every player does, quickly grab the ball out of the goal and run back. But I didn’t really have confidence in a 3-3 yet. But then something came into that team.”
He highlighted the almost surreal nature of the 3-2 goal. “Then you see that 2-3, in such a strange way via the post falling onto the chest of Santiago Giménez, and then things don’t go against you,” Van Hooijdonk said with a smile. “That last goal too. Such a great attack. Igor Paixão with that great cross…”
Dávid Hancko’s header sealed the comeback. “Sometimes special forces arise in football,” Van Hooijdonk mused. “City kept playing as if they couldn’t concede, but it was arrogant play. It brought back the faith in Feyenoord. Three more goals in fifteen minutes? I wouldn’t have dared to bet an old-fashioned penny on that.”
Site Opinion
Feyenoord’s performance at the Etihad Stadium was a testament to the power of belief, teamwork, and the impact of supporters. To claw back from a 3-0 deficit against one of Europe’s elite teams showcases resilience that few would have expected. The captain’s acknowledgement of the fans underscores the unity between the team and its supporters, a bond that clearly fuels their fighting spirit.
Manchester City’s approach in the final stages seemed complacent, and their “arrogant play,” as Van Hooijdonk put it, allowed Feyenoord a window to exploit. This match will go down as one of the great Champions League comebacks and will surely serve as a confidence booster for Feyenoord as they navigate the rest of the competition. Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, will likely demand a serious response from his team to ensure such lapses don’t occur again.
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