Gündogan: Beating Real Madrid is the greatest joy for Barcelona players. Hopefully we can win the Champions League

Ilkay Gündogan is the new signing for Barcelona. After several successful years at Manchester City, he has decided to take up a new challenge and head to Catalonia.

He scored some important goals this season, and towards the end of the season with the captain’s armband on his arm, he was a key man for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola couldn’t imagine a squad without him and didn’t want him to leave.

However, Gündogan was coming to the end of his contract and after seven years in rainy Manchester, he decided to take up a new challenge. He had several offers on the table, from Arsenal, Bayern and Dortmund or Saudi Arabia, but the German international chose Barcelona.

Another important factor was striker Robert Lewandowski, whom Gündogan met at Dortmund. “When I talked to him about the city, the lifestyle, the club, I saw his eyes light up,” Gündogan told a news conference.

He also spoke about the rivalry with Real Madrid. ” Beating Real Madrid is the greatest joy for every Barcelona player and it doesn’t matter what players are with the rivals,” the German midfielder clarified.

The Champions League also came up. The latter has been cursed for Barcelona in recent years, having been knocked out in the group stage in the last two years, before that in the eighth round. They have been waiting for the title since 2015.

Manchester City have experienced a similar curse. They waited for their first Champions League title until this June, when it was Gündogan who led the Citizens to the trophy as captain.

“It’s a different competition, a bit magical. I experienced it at City, for many years we were favourites, but because of the details we were knocked out. After a few years I think I’ve seen what it takes to win the Champions League, even if there are things that get out of control. I can pass on some ideas. I hope that with the smart people who are at this club we can win the Champions League,” Gündogan said.

Source: FC Barcelona