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Man City star Ilkay Gundogan has called on supporters of the club to create a “positive noise” in the Champions League final.
The Manchester outfit meet Italian club Inter Milan in the ultimate game of the season on Saturday.
Istanbul’s Ataturk Stadium hosts the huge clash between the two sides, with the Italians hoping to clinch their fourth European success.
Man City meanwhile are seeking to lift their first Champions League trophy, but go into the game full of confidence after winning both the Premier League and FA Cup this season.
Man City star addresses fans
Gundogan was on the scoresheet in that FA Cup final success against fierce rivals Man United last weekend, with his goal after just 12.91 seconds representing the quickest in the history of the famous fixture.
His fellow midfielder Bruno Fernandes equalised from the spot for the Red Devils after 33 minutes, but Gundogan struck again early in the second half to secure a 2-1 win for his side.
Wembley was packed out as usual for the clash, with Gundogan noting that the blue contingent helped him find the back of the net so early on in the game.
“Our fans are going to be so important for us again this weekend, as they always are,” said Gundogan, as quoted by the official Man City website.
“You only have to look at Saturday’s match at Wembley to show you how vital they are to our performance. Our fans were amazing from start to finish.
“Hearing them sing ‘Blue Moon’ in the tunnel, the deafening atmosphere as we walked out onto the pitch to a sea of blue, the Poznan as we waited for the match to start on the pitch, it was incredible and, in my opinion, helped us score after 13 seconds.”
Gundogan wants more noise from Man City fans
Gundogan has been key to his club’s success this season, with the midfielder chipping in with various important goals to go alongside his fantastic passing, dribbling and tackling abilities in the middle of the pitch.
His future at the club remains up in the air, but every Man City fan will be desperate to see the German international commit himself to the club for at least another season.
Unsurprisingly, however, he will have plenty of suitors elsewhere, with Gundogan perhaps keen to play more regular football at this stage of his career.
Given the talent available to Pep Guardiola in midfield, including the likes of Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva among others, Gundogan hasn’t always found himself in the starting XI.
But given his display in the FA Cup final, the midfielder looks certain to start against Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday.
He has now urged Man City supporters to be as equally vocal in Istanbul as they were at Wembley, although the travelling Inter fans will also make plenty of noise.
“To score that early was an unbelievable feeling and it felt like a reward for how amazing our fans were,” Gundogan added about his goal against Man United. “Now we need them again in Istanbul.
“From the moment we wait in the tunnel, as we line up on the pitch and during the whole game, we need that positive noise again. We know our fans will be there for us and we will give everything to make them proud.”
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