Ilkay Gündogan’s tone, as someone who has just landed at FC Barcelona and therefore still uncontaminated with respect to the club’s daily journey to madness, is calm, realistic and even hopeful. The veteran midfielder, born in Gelsenkirchen 33 years ago, assumes that his new team must improve but frames it within the logical evolution of a club that wants to get closer to what it was. He tells us that he prefers to chat rather than be interviewed. we try
How is your adaptation to the club and to Barcelona?
My family and I are very happy here. We have a toddler and can go out with him even in December.
Do they live in the city?
Yes, after a few moves we finally found what we were looking for. My wife and I love walking, discovering restaurants, exploring the city… We have been living in Manchester for seven years. It was important.
You look happy…
I am him.
One can imagine the most stressed Barça players.
It’s fifteen years of my career and I know that my happiness also depends on my work, you can’t separate the two paths, but it’s good to try, even if it’s impossible.
is it
Sooner or later you end up taking out your frustrations at home. The key is to try to maintain a state of mind as optimistic as possible. Family is vital in my case, they always support me.
Is Barça the club that was expected?
He knew he was coming to one of the biggest clubs in the world. With thousands of fans and, with them, opinions on everything and of all kinds. I try to maintain a certain balance.
Where is there more pressure, Barcelona or City?
I don’t see much difference. I put the pressure on myself. I’m smart enough to know when I’ve played a good game or a bad game. I look at myself, even when criticism comes from family or friends. “You could have been better today, Ilkay.”
what does he say now Who is this critical family member?
The mother is the worst [laughs]. My parents accompanied my older brother and me everywhere from a very young age and they still follow my career today. The mother is always the most critical. “You haven’t been well today, huh…”.
What is Gündogan’s best game at Barça so far according to his mother?
The one from the Alabès field. A goal and an assist.
Do you agree?
Not. The numbers are one thing, but the feeling when you’ve just played a round game doesn’t necessarily match the statistics. You can play very well in a further back position even if you don’t score. This season I have played at pivot with more defensive tasks and this makes me value more the teammates who cover my back when I attack more.
Like now since Christensen and De Jong are at the back. Five goals and ten assists…
If I play advanced, I have to contribute figures. In the last third I am closer to the goal and there you have to be noticed, giving the last pass or scoring. I think I’m good at interpreting what each position on the field is asking for, whether it’s at the back or up front. The key is for the gear to work collectively.
If I tell you that this Barça has the potential to play better, do you agree?
Yes, without a doubt. Each of us can play better. We are not playing according to the expectations created. It’s no excuse, but we’ve been through a lot of difficulties, injuries, young players under a lot of pressure…
When do you see the team being able to topple this?
The next two or three months will be key. It is the decisive moment of the season. We must take care of our body as much as possible and train well to arrive in the best possible shape. level up
De Jong, Pedri, you… One of the best centers in the field in Europe should flow more.
I wouldn’t say we are the best, but there is a lot of talent. But how many games have we played together? Ten? We have to find a balance and this is achieved over time. Trust one hundred percent between us, get to know us more, create connections and automatisms. It happened with De Jong and now I have advanced the position. Now I try to generate more chemistry with Lamine Yamal and others.
what a player 16 years Have you seen anything similar in your career?
No, because what is surprising starts with his age and I had never trained with such a young boy professionally. I can’t compare it to anything. He is very special, he has to be careful, he is a teenager. He already takes a lot of responsibility.
Do you feel like a teacher?
not very well The best I can do is lead and act to set an example for those around me. Convey that if you work hard and give it your all, you will be a better player. It is what Lamine has to see around him.
Is the team ready to compete this Champions League, starting tomorrow in Naples?
Yes, of course. We need these games to level up. The Champions is about this, in case we compete there, to demand the maximum. I love that kind of pressure. We are going to Naples to look for a good result.
This squad lacks leadership. You just arrived.
The team has lost a lot of leaders in just two years and that is hard to replace. Leadership is earned by what others see in you. It comes naturally, but it takes time. In my case, I need to improve my Spanish to communicate better. I’m working on it.
Being realistic, do you think that Barça have options to win this Champions League?
I’ll be honest. I see other teams with more possibilities and experience, but if we qualify for the quarter-finals, we enter a special field. Who could have expected that Inter would reach the final last year? I am realistic, but I also know that it is difficult for everyone.
How far is Barça from City, for example?
We won’t know until we race it. Every game starts from scratch in the Champions League. I would love to see us compete with these kinds of teams, but let’s focus on Napoli now.
They will change coaches…
This will make the playoff even more difficult. The bigger the challenge, the better for everyone.
Do you talk to Guardiola?
Yes, from time to time. We talk about life and, above all, about Barcelona and Barça. It’s a team he has in his heart and you can tell it every time he talks about it.
How is your relationship with Xavi?
It was fundamental for him to come to Barcelona. If the conversations we had had been different, I wouldn’t be here. It made a difference. I am very grateful to him.
What was the reaction when you learned of his resignation?
I was surprised, I didn’t expect it. I wish I could have done more for him. I have this feeling.
Do you understand it, after a few weeks?
I respect his decision, he deserves a lot of credit. He thinks of the family, the players and the club before himself. Xavi loves Barça…
Has there been a reaction in the dressing room and on the field?
I see a very good dressing room, a good atmosphere, but nothing changes in terms of my performance or my mentality; I will continue to do everything I can for the team and for the club, giving my best version to contribute to raising the level of the team.
There are still those who wonder why you didn’t change the City to a less stressful place.
It’s football It competes. I have been in the business for a long time and winning is not something that is given to you as a gift. In racing, I have had more years without success than with triumphs. You have to fall to get up and appreciate the successes more. Football is like life.
Many names have already come up as possible replacements for Xavi, but Hansi Flick stands out, whom you had as a coach.
A lot of names are coming up and this is not my League and I will not comment on the matter. I can only say that Hansi Flick is not only a fabulous man but also a great coach, as he proved by winning the trefoil for Bayern. He reached the national team in a very complicated situation, but he always showed himself to be authentic and I respect that a lot.
How old do you look in Barcelona?
I want to be better, enjoy success here.
