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Man City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has revealed he is a “big fan” of Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel.
The duo crossed paths at German club Borussia Dortmund, where the former played from 2011-2016 and the latter managed from 2015-2017.
Gundogan’s revelation comes ahead of the huge Champions League quarter-final second leg clash between the two European giants at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
Man City star a fan of Tuchel
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City head to Germany in high spirits, with Pep Guardiola’s men winning the first leg 3-0 at the Etihad last Tuesday. Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland were among the goals on a superb night in Manchester.
Gundogan shone in midfield at the Etihad, playing the entire 90 minutes as his side swept past the German outfit. But the midfielder is taking nothing for granted going into the second leg, and is fully aware of how impressive a manager Tuchel is.
“I expect them tomorrow in their best version,” Gundogan said on Tuesday, as quoted by the Man City website. “Tomorrow they will try to be one of the best in Europe and I have to say I’m a big fan of Thomas Tuchel, too,
“I had him at Dortmund and I understand sometimes being in the job isn’t always easy but if he’s given enough time you’ll see their levels even if they aren’t there right now consistently.
“It’s a matter of time that you’ll watch them and say ‘Wow’.”
Gundogan wants to find a balance
City dominated proceedings on the scoreboard in the first leg despite the visitors boasting 56% possession of the ball.
But the home side had 17 shots compared to Bayern’s 12, and of course found the net three times while keeping a clean sheet in the fantastic victory.
Gundogan is now keen to find a balance in Germany, with a Champions League semi-final clash against Real Madrid up for grabs for the victor.
“I guess it’s about finding a balance,” Gundogan added. “Our team is built to start every game wanting to win it.
“We want possession but need to play in a mature way. We know from experience as well and the games we’ve watched that everything is still possible.”
Fantastic season for Man City
Man City are enjoying another superb campaign under Guardiola, with the club flying high in Europe as well as domestically.
They are very close to getting into the last four of the Champions League, a situation they already find themselves in in the FA Cup, where they take on Championship club Sheffield United on Saturday.
And the Premier League title is also in contention, with the Manchester outfit now just four points behind league leaders Arsenal.
The narrowing of the gap comes after Man City defeated Leicester 3-1 on Saturday before the Gunners drew 2-2 with West Ham on Sunday.
Guardiola’s men are in a very commanding position given the fact they have a game in hand over Mikel Arteta’s men. The two clubs go head to head next Wednesday in a match that may just decide which way the trophy goes.
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