Ilkay Gundogan
Ilkay Gundogan, the former Manchester City midfielder, has shared his reflections on a challenging yet rewarding season with the club. As he embarks on a new chapter with Galatasaray, Gundogan leaves behind a legacy of resilience and a restored sense of pride at the Etihad Stadium. Despite a tumultuous campaign, the team managed to secure a top-four finish, ensuring their place in the Champions League.
Ilkay Gundogan said: “I think it was one of the most difficult seasons, probably where we ended the season on the table also kind of reflects that. Always, that’s quite normal. I’ve seen a stat somewhere a couple of weeks ago that we haven’t lost any of the last seven or eight games of last season. Really, we won six and drew two or something like that. I think, at the end of the season, we were on it again. That’s where also we made the Champions League at the end, because we found ourselves again. I think that’s how we played football as well; it was to our standard, to the highest standard, something that we were used for so many years. And as I said in the beginning, going through the struggles, it just makes all the achievements sweeter and better, and makes it worth more as well. So I see last season also as a difficult one, but I will also never forget that we’ve played some, some really good football at the end, and we achieved our minimum target as well by reaching the Champions League.”
Gundogan’s comments highlight the determination and grit that characterized Manchester City’s season. Despite facing significant challenges, including a dip in form due to player fatigue and injuries, the team managed to rally in the latter part of the season. Gundogan, alongside Bernardo Silva, was one of the few players who remained largely injury-free, though this led to being overplayed. Nevertheless, Gundogan’s performance was pivotal in helping the team secure their Champions League spot.
The midfielder’s departure from Manchester City was unexpected, as he had anticipated staying at the Etihad after triggering an automatic one-year contract extension. However, with limited playing time in the initial games of the new season, Gundogan opted for a move to Galatasaray, where he hopes to continue contributing at a high level.
As Gundogan transitions to his new club, Manchester City is left to build on the consistency they demonstrated towards the end of last season. The team will need to maintain this momentum to avoid further disappointments and to continue competing at the highest levels of European football.
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