National squad - European Championship captaincy for Gündogan doesn't ensure a spot in the starting lineup.
Ilkay Gündogan views the captaincy in the national team at the European Championship as not a guaranteed starting spot. The 33-year-old midfielder for FC Barcelona acknowledges the presence of intense competition for game time.
Modern football has shifted away from rigid structures, states Gündogan. "The performance density is too high, and it's not a given that the captain must play," he claimed a week before the opening match at home against Scotland.
Gündogan believes that captains must also re-prove their worth, regardless of their captaincy status. The 76-time national player, who has captained the DFB selection since last September, stated, "We have incredibly talented footballers. Being the captain or not, you still need to show that you're worthy of playing."
National coach Julian Nagelsmann confirms that the captaincy is not a decisive factor, but he sees Gündogan occupying a key position in his EM plans. Gündogan is set as a fixed fixture in the German offense, alongside the talented youngster Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, and the lead striker Kai Havertz.
Gündogan's job under Nagelsmann is to bring experience and structure to the German attacking play. To achieve this, the veteran intends to get himself in the best shape possible before the Scotland game. He missed playing in the 0:0 draw against Ukraine earlier in the week.
"It was probably one of the most challenging seasons I've had in my career," recalled Gündogan about his first year at FC Barcelona. "Despite having played seven years at Manchester City, people might not realize that."
"I didn't breeze through the season"
Barcelona's options for rotation were less plentiful compared to the deep and influential Manchester City team. Gündogan played almost all of the club's games. "I've accumulated a lot of minutes in my body. I didn't make it through the season easily."
Gündogan finds it advantageous to manage his playing time as the European Championship approaches. "It's beneficial to manage minutes, to have only played 45 against Ukraine. Now the aim is to be top-fit and ready for the tournament by the opening match," said Gündogan before the EM warm-up against Greece on Friday. "We have another week after this friendly match."
So, Ilkay Gündogan embraces the normal competition for playing time and acknowledges the importance of performing to earn a spot in the DFB team for the European Championship. He is open to the coach's decision-making for putting together the best available starting lineup.
Read also:
- Despite holding the captaincy for the German national team during the European Championship, Ilkay Gündogan recognizes the intense competition for game time.
- Gündogan believes that even with the captaincy, he must still re-prove his worth to secure a spot in the DFB selection's starting lineup.
- Gündogan's role in Julian Nagelsmann's EM plans involves bringing experience and structure to the German offensive, alongside players like Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.
- In his first year at FC Barcelona, Gündogan acknowledges the challenging season he had, playing almost all the club's games despite coming from a deep and influential Manchester City team.
- Nagelsmann acknowledges that Gündogan's captaincy status is not the deciding factor, but he remains crucial to the German offense for the European Championship.
- Gündogan highlights the importance of managing his playing time as the European Championship approaches, having only played 45 minutes against Ukraine earlier in the week.
- During his time at Manchester City, Gündogan's contributions might have gone unnoticed by some due to the depth of talent and the influence of the squad.
- The German squad's warm-up game against Greece is an opportunity for Gündogan to assess his form and readiness before the European Championship begins in Munich.
- As the European Championship draws closer, Ilkay Gündogan is open to the coach's decision-making and willing to accept the competition for a spot in the starting lineup to represent Bavaria and Germany at their best.
