Manchester City have won every competitive game since Pep Guardiola took over as manager and Gundogan was pleased to get their Champions League campaign off to a flyer.
Advertisement
But he proved his quality yet again on Wednesday, scoring his second hat-trick of the season as Borussia Monchengladbach were beaten 4-0 in the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium.
But it seems they are in no doubt that they would be able to sell out the Theatre of Dreams if they were in City’s position of playing in Europe’s elite competition.
Initially, it was because of disappointing early results, perhaps due to a bigger focus on winning the Premier League.
Guardiola, who won the Champions League twice as Barcelona boss and describes the competition as “beautiful” now wants fans to get fully behind the challenge. Later that year, City were called out and sanctioned by UEFA for infringing Financial Fair Play regulations, a measure which many fans consider to have been excessive. It will be a hard game though, we’re going to have to be at the very top of our game and they may have to have a day where they don’t perform so well, if those two things happen then we have a chance’.
The jeering of the anthem is in response to controversies featuring City, from the abuse of former player Mario Balotelli by Porto fans, to the heavy fine imposed upon them for breaking Financial Fair Play rules and their behind-closed- doors game away to CSKA Moscow.
Manchester City will have to cope without David Silva when they take on Bournemouth in the Premier League.
“We need them to compete against the best teams in the world”. With our supporters and our songs, we are stronger.
Gundogan was the only change to City’s team from Tuesday’s postponed fixture as David Silva was rested as a precaution following a complaint in training on Wednesday morning.
“Today the stadium is not completely full so the only thing you can do is play good so the people who are at home and watching our games say, “wow, next time I am going to be there”. Simon [City’s press officer], maybe you know better than me.
Those who did turn up for the Moenchengladbach game would have been happy they made the effort.
Bench including. Ibe, Afobe, Wilshere, Mousette, would offer real attacking threat later in game when city begin to tire, assuming we are still in the game.
Advertisement
Sergio Aguero was the key man for City as he scored a hat-trick before being replaced by the final goalscorer Kelechi Iheanacho.
