Ake calls for character after thrilling Feyenoord draw | OneFootball

Nathan Ake has urged City's players and backroom staff to show determination, unity and mental strength after the team surrendered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 in the UEFA Champions League.

Erling Haaland slotted us ahead from the penalty spot just before the interval, making Champions League history in the process by becoming the fastest player ever to reach 50 goal contributions, achieving the feat in just 44 appearances.

Ilkay Gundogan's deflected effort after the break doubled the lead, before Haaland slid in a third shortly after.

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However, the visitors remained positive and scored three times in the final 15 minutes through Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko to grab a point at the Etihad Stadium.

The draw means Pep Guardiola's men are winless across six matches in all competitions, and defender Nathan Ake has called for the team to show mental fortitude to turn our fortunes around.

"I think obviously, we’ve not been in this situation many times. This is where we have to show our character," he said. "When everything seems to go against us and everyone writing us off. We have to stay strong mentally and believe in ourself and stay together.

"There’s a period every season where people write us off. We just have to make sure we stay strong together as a team, the staff and everyone together and make sure we get out of it.

"We played quite well and had it under control, then it all changed. At that point, you just have to stay strong mentally. I think after they made it 3-1, they pushed on. I think maybe we have to go forward a bit earlier to keep pressure on them.

"But we stayed playing at the back and maybe invited more pressure on us. Then when you concede the second one there’s even more pressure and I think we have to stay more mentally strong."I think we did [give it away]. When you’re 3-0 up at home, I think you can never give it away like this. It is what it is at the moment. The only thing we can do now is fight back and stay strong. It feels like a defeat when you give away three goals at home."

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The Dutchman expressed the pain that the players are feeling after the draw, which leaves us with eight points from five matches in the League Phase of the competition, but also communicated his eagerness to bounce back against Liverpool in Sunday's Premier League encounter.

"Look, it’s tough now, it’s a tough night," he said. The only thing we can do now is look forward to the next one.

"It's Liverpool, it’s a big game. It’s another challenge we have to overcome."