Manchester City’s recurring weakness in the final minutes of matches resurfaced on Wednesday night, as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Monaco in the Champions League.
Despite another prolific display from striker Erling Haaland, who scored both of City’s goals, Pep Guardiola’s men were punished late on when England defender Eric Dier calmly converted a 90th-minute penalty to salvage a point for the French side.
The draw means City have now failed to win in their last five Champions League away fixtures, compounding a worrying trend of conceding crucial late goals.
Haaland Critical Despite Scoring Twice
Haaland, who has been in unstoppable form this season, was scathing in his post-match assessment. “We don’t deserve to win,” the Norwegian told TNT Sport. “We need more energy. In the second half they dominated, and it was not good enough.”
His comments highlighted a growing frustration within the squad that, despite moments of brilliance, City are struggling to maintain control for the full 90 minutes.
Defensive Vulnerability Exposed Again
Guardiola’s side remain unbeaten in their last six games, yet half of the eight goals they have conceded this season have come in the dying stages of matches.
Key examples include conceding against Tottenham in first-half stoppage time on 23 August, losing late to Brighton on 31 August, and dropping points against Arsenal after a 93rd-minute equaliser on 21 September. Wednesday’s lapse in Monaco only added to this concerning sequence.
Those costly errors have already seen City drop three points in the Premier League and two in Europe. Had they held on, they would currently sit level with Arsenal in the league and top of their Champions League group.
Guardiola Facing Familiar Questions
Ahead of the Monaco clash, Guardiola had dismissed concerns over conceding late goals, saying: “I have many concerns, but not this one.” Following the latest setback, he may now be rethinking that position.
City’s defensive lapses are particularly damaging given last season’s failure to secure a major trophy. They crashed out of the Champions League in the play-off round and finished only third in the Premier League, a campaign far below their lofty standards.
“No Reason to Panic”
Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt, speaking on Match of the Day, urged caution before writing City off. “They will be there or thereabouts,” Butt said. “They just have to get the squad together and be fit coming into the new year.”
However, with City’s European away struggles continuing and their inability to close out games proving costly, Guardiola faces an urgent task in addressing his team’s late-game concentration lapses.
For now, Haaland’s goals remain a shining light—but unless City fix their defensive issues, their ambitions of reclaiming Europe’s top prize could once again slip away in the final moments.
