Galatasaray midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has described Barcelona because the strongest group in world soccer forward of their g, whereas reflecting on his season on the Catalan membership and the individuals who influenced his expertise there.
Talking to o, the previous Barcelona, Manchester Metropolis and Borussia Dortmund midfielder mentioned Hansi Flick’s influence, Xavi’s affect, the emergence of Lamine Yamal and the qualities of a number of gamers he is aware of nicely.
Gundogan, who represented Barça throughout the 2023/24 marketing campaign, additionally defined what makes Barcelona so troublesome to face and why he believes they will win the Champions League.
His feedback come forward of an emotionally important reunion with former teammates, though the German insists his focus will shift fully to the match as soon as the referee blows the whistle.
Gundogan backs Barcelona to win Champions League
Gundogan admitted that dealing with Barcelona would deliver again robust reminiscences, however he’s decided to compete when Galatasaray meet the Blaugrana in Europe.
Requested whether or not he was nervous about dealing with his former teammates, Gundogan defined the private significance of the event.
Gundogan will come up towards his former Barcelona teammates. (Photograph by Molly Darlington/Getty Photographs)
“I’m not nervous, nevertheless it’s positively a really particular feeling. Seeing so many acquainted faces within the opposition group – gamers I shared a altering room with and have nice reminiscences of – could be very shifting.
“As soon as the whistle blows, I’ll be utterly centered on the sport. Earlier than and after the match, it’ll be nice to meet up with some good pals,” he started.
y, and Gundogan believes opponents have to be courageous relatively than merely defend deep in the event that they need to problem Flick’s facet.
“Barça are taking part in with nice dominance and confidence in the meanwhile. To compete towards a group in such nice kind, you need to defend nearly completely and be very courageous on the ball.
“You possibly can’t simply sit again and wait in your personal field. You need to take advantage of the few areas they permit you in transitions with nice precision.
“Proper now, for me, Barcelona are the perfect group in Europe and the clear favourites to win the Champions League.”
The midfielder additionally praised Flick’s capacity to determine his concepts shortly, pointing to the German’s tactical readability and man-management as key components behind Barcelona’s progress.
“Hansi is an excellent supervisor who is aware of precisely the right way to handle a group. He brings a really clear footballing philosophy and, on the similar time, creates a constructive ambiance.
“The truth that his concepts have labored so shortly at Barcelona reveals simply how good he’s.”
Gundogan displays on Xavi, La Masia and Barcelona tenure
Gundogan’s solely season at Barcelona got here underneath Xavi, a former midfielder he admired lengthy earlier than working with him.
Regardless of the marketing campaign ending with out a trophy, the German retains constructive reminiscences of their relationship and the expertise of representing the membership.
“I look again on that yr with nice gratitude and satisfaction. Carrying the shirt of such a historic membership was a dream come true for me.
“Xavi was one in all my nice position fashions as a participant, and studying from him as a supervisor was a beautiful expertise.
“The truth is, we constructed an excellent and pleasant relationship throughout that point, and we even went out for dinner with our households earlier than he left the membership.
Gundogan has regarded again at his time at Barcelona. (Photograph by Eric Alonso/Getty Photographs)
“Xavi lives and breathes Barça soccer and labored very onerous to assist the membership via a troublesome transition. I actually valued our time collectively,” he famous.
Requested why Barcelona didn’t win a trophy in 2023/24, Gundogan pointed in direction of accidents and nice margins relatively than a scarcity of expertise.
“On the highest degree, soccer comes all the way down to the small particulars.
“We have been unfortunate with key accidents at essential moments, and in decisive Champions League matches or in El Clasico, we merely lacked that little little bit of luck or high quality in entrance of objective.
“The standard within the squad was positively there.”
The midfielder additionally highlighted the event of Barcelona’s younger gamers, having witnessed Yamal’s breakthrough at shut quarters.
Whereas {the teenager}’s expertise was obvious early, Gundogan has been significantly impressed by his maturity.
“From his very first coaching session with us, it was clear that Lamine had unimaginable expertise. However the maturity and consistency he reveals on the world stage at such a younger age is astonishing.
“He performs with a pure ease that’s hardly ever seen. It’s an actual pleasure to look at him play. I want him nothing however the perfect, and most significantly, I hope he stays match.”
Gundogan additionally praised the likes of Pau Cubarsi and Fermin Lopez, two academy graduates who established themselves within the first group throughout Xavi’s tenure.
“Each are nice examples of the unimaginable work being finished at La Masia. Pau Cubarsi reads the sport very nicely and is extremely composed on the ball for his age.
“Fermin brings nice power, work fee and a risk in entrance of objective from midfield. Each have monumental expertise and the appropriate mindset to play an essential position for the membership for a few years to return.”
Gundogan talks Rodri and Gabriel Jesus
Gundogan additionally mentioned former Manchester Metropolis teammates Rodri and Gabriel Jesus, who now play for Barcelona.
The midfielder highlighted Rodri’s capacity to manage matches and supply stability, describing him as an entire defensive midfielder.
Gundogan has nothing however reward for Rodri. (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)
“For me, Rodri has been probably the most full defensive midfielder on this planet for years. On the 2026 World Cup, he was the perfect participant within the event and made all of the distinction.
“Enjoying alongside him was an actual privilege as a result of he offers the group a lot construction and stability. He reads the sport earlier than anybody else, wins essential 50-50 balls and controls the tempo along with his passing.
“He’s the principle anchor of any group he performs for.”
On Gabriel Jesus, Gundogan pointed to the Brazilian’s motion, urgent and technical high quality as attributes that make him invaluable past his objective tally.
“Gabi is an excellent striker. He works tirelessly for the group, presses intelligently and makes loads of selfless runs that create house for others.
“On high of that, he has nice technical capacity and is robust in one-on-one conditions contained in the field. He brings a superb mix of onerous work and particular person high quality that may win tight matches.”
Lastly, Gundogan refused to foretell an actual rating for Galatasaray’s assembly with Barcelona however recognized the golf equipment he considers main contenders for European glory.
“I by no means prefer to predict precise scores. What I’m hoping for is an intense, high-quality match the place we’ll give it our all to win.
“As for the ultimate, the Champions League is at all times troublesome to foretell, however groups of the calibre of Manchester Metropolis or Barcelona are at all times among the many predominant favourites.
“Proper now, Barça are the strongest group on this planet in my opinion,” he concluded.