Pep Guardiola defends Josko Gvardiol and explains triple Man City change before incredible collapse

Manchester City were 3-0 ahead and coasting in the Champions League against Feyenoord - before collapsing to draw 3-3.

Pep Guardiola defended his decision to take off three key players in Manchester City's Champions League collapse against Feyenoord.

With City 3-0 ahead, Guardiola turned attention to Liverpool on Sunday by withdrawing Nathan Ake, Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden. In their place came a half-fit Kevin De Bruyne, rarely-seen James McAtee, and teenage defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.

After the changes Feyenoord pounced on a nervy City defence which lacked protection and salvaged an extraordinary draw, compounding City's recent problems with a sixth-successive winless result. Explaining his changes, Guardiola felt the game was safe and he was able to rest the trio who were replaced.

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"Nathan comes with 20 minutes left and the game was not in danger," he said. "That happens and Nathan has been injured many times. We didn’t want to expose him for 90 minutes.

"Gundogan is the only holding midfielder we have and Phil plays a lot of minutes. I do it for Kevin to get rhythm in the best way. Macca and Jahmai is always so stable. The moment was completely fine."

Guardiola also defended Josko Gvardiol - at fault for the first two Feyenoord goals after two errors against Tottenham.

"He is so young, he will learn," the manager said. "It will be a good experience. The way he has played - he was the best player on the pitch but I will be so wrong if I point specific thing for our defeat. He is young and he will learn. He is a fantastic player, fantastic boy and now more than ever must be helped."