Gerhard Struber left frustrated as Bristol City told ‘special story’ in ‘painful’ Millwall loss

Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber was left ‘disappointed’ as the Robins ended 2025 with a ‘cheap’ defeat at the hands of Millwall

23:08, 29 Dec 2025Updated 23:13, 29 Dec 2025

Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber at The Den during the Robins’ defeat to Millwall(Image: Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images)

Bristol City were told a “special story” by Millwall as they ended the year with a defeat at The Den, according to Gerhard Struber, as the Robins boss was left both frustrated and disappointed by the “painful” and “cheap” manner of his side’s loss.

The Reds missed the chance to see in the new year in the play-off places as they were beaten 2-1 by the Lions on Monday evening. Goals from Camiel Neghli and Macauley Langstaff, either side of Adam Randell’s first in City colours, ensured it was Alex Neil’s side who claimed all three points.

Neghli fired Millwall into the lead after a little over a quarter of an hour, when Rob Dickie diverted a cross from the left flank into the forward’s path. Having fallen behind, the Robins grew into the contest, and within four minutes of the second half, Randell’s right-footed finish had drawn them level.

READ MORE: Millwall 2-1 Bristol City live: Langstaff restores Lions’ lead at The Den after Randell levellerREAD MORE: Fally Mayulu return timeline set after injury rules Bristol City striker out of Boxing Day win

With momentum behind them, it looked likely City would find a late winner, before Langstaff acrobatically steered home from a miss-hit Cam Pring clearance in the 81st minute. Ultimately, a lack of cutting-edge and a couple of defensive lapses left the travelling fans, and Struber, irritated come the full-time whistle.

“Really frustrated and really disappointed with how we lose this game today,” the head coach explained to Bristol Live in his post-match press conference. “I would say with so many things on this gameday, I am really, really happy with how we deal with an opponent like that with the long ball strategy.

“Many, many first duels, many, many second balls go in exactly the way that we want, and we find, I would say, over the whole game time, most of the time, control in this game, and we don’t play in this chaos that we want. But, two times, we’re not ready in a box defending moment on the level that you have to be, especially against Millwall.

Sign up for our City newsletter

Bristol City looking to build on last season’s play-off finish under Gerhard Struber and you won’t miss a beat with our free newsletter.

All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Robins, delivered straight to your inbox.

It’s completely free and you can sign up HERE

“We know how they bring man-power in the box, also, the dynamic [of] how they bring manpower in the box,” he added. “This was, in the end, not the level that you need [so] that you can bring points home. On the same time, I would say we jump out from the second half, we score the goal, we were so in the driver’s seat, in all directions.

“We were so much nearer to the second goal than Millwall, and then I would say I miss a little bit the determination in the one or other moment to bring the ball into the net for the second. Then, I think we would have a completely different situation.

“A very cheap loss, how we give this game out of our hands. It’s a big, painful situation.”

Bristol City defender Rob Dickie reacts after Millwall forward Macauley Langstaff’s winner(Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)

The frustration of Monday evening’s defeat was only compounded by the similarities of the Robins’ loss at the hands of the Lions when the two sides met at Ashton Gate earlier this month.

That day, the Reds were beaten 1-0 by Neil’s side, having seen a late leveller ruled out for an offside after being unable to make their possession in the final third of the pitch count. While such displays haven’t been commonplace all too often this term, they have occurred once or twice under Struber.

Although the Robins boss was keen to view the bruising experience at The Den as a learning experience, he admitted it was difficult to stomach another tough result against the Lions.

Bristol City Live on Whatsapp

Join Bristol City Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol City stories sent straight to your phone

Bristol City Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.

Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol City news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.

To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.

We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.

To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to join our WhatsApp community.

“The Championship and especially opponents like Millwall, they’ve told us a special story in the game,” Struber said. “You have to be super strong and super focused [in] how you defend.

“We were in some defending moments a little bit over-paced [and] we were in some transition moments in front of the goal, a little bit surprised sometimes when we realised the best moments.

“It’s really hard, it’s really hard to lose again against Millwall.”

OPINION

OPINION