Ilkay Gundogan says Manchester City have a way to go to become one of Europe's biggest clubs

Tom Biggs 20:32 15/03/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Manchesrer City's Ilkay Gundogan

    After final heartbreak with Borussia Dortmund five years ago, Ilkay Gundogan is hoping he can go one step further in the UEFA Champions League with Manchester City this season.

    Gundogan missed out on European glory in 2013, as Bayern Munich beat Dortmund 2-1 in the final at Wembley, but the experience of that near miss continues to drive the German on in Europe.

    With the Champions League draw taking place on Friday, the midfielder admits that City must be ready to play the best at any stage, if they are to go on and win the competition.

    “To be honest it doesn’t matter if now maybe we are a little bit lucky, because at this stage it’s difficult to say about any opponent you feel lucky,” Gundogan told Sport360º at City’s Abu Dhabi training camp on Thursday.

    “At the end you need to play against the best to win this trophy. You must compete against the best to come to the final.

    “I was lucky to play in the final in 2013 with Dortmund, unfortunately we lost, so obviously I can’t wait to try and get to a final and win it this time. This is the main target.”

    Ilkay Gundogan celebrates Manchester City's League Cup victory against Arsenal.

    Ilkay Gundogan celebrates Manchester City’s League Cup victory against Arsenal.

    City have already lifted one trophy this season, beating Arsenal in the League Cup, and while they have drawn plaudits from all around the world for their style of play and Premier League dominance, Gundogan feels they still have a way to go to reach the level of the biggest clubs in Europe.

    “Fortunately we won the League Cup and we were very happy about it, to gain our first trophy quite early in the season. This is now in our hands, nobody can take it away,” the 27-year-old added.

    “This is just the beginning. We are in a good way to come into the elite clubs in Europe but I wouldn’t say we are there. We need to compete with teams like [Real] Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich – the biggest teams.

    “In the Champions League it doesn’t make a difference any more who you get now.”

    Recommended