A biography for Ilkay Gundoganhasn’t been written yet.
“I like to have the ball, to have possession and to play passes, to create chances for my team-mates. I think that is what makes me strong.”
“Playing for Pep has certainly lived up to the expectations. I knew him from the Bundesliga and saw him coaching Barcelona when everyone saw an excellent manager who is able to get players to improve. He is a great personality and a very nice guy.”
“If we lose and someone is better than us then we accept it. Handshake after the game and well done and focus on the next game. But if we lose and don't play the style of football we want to play then we know it's our fault and we can do it better.”
“Rehab is always up and down for the mind and for the body.”
“Even though we are at the top level, we all make mistakes. We play the game, and mistakes are part of the game.”
“We are used to the whistles of the opposing fans, but when we are booed by our own fans, it's hard to live with.”
“We always feel when we're able to score the first goal or an early goal, we feel like we are unstoppable.”
“Football is our life, not politics.”
“I like to have the ball and play beautiful football. That's what the people want to see and what makes football so special.”
“Everyone told me the Premier League is the hardest. So I just wanted to try because I had nothing to lose.”
“If we are quite defensive and we lose the ball, we just try to get back into our positions and try to defend. That's something you have to do from time to time.”
“When it comes to the game they both focus on different things. Pep is maybe more about positions, dominating the ball while Jurgen is maybe more like winning the ball and trying to score goals as quick as possible with high intensity.”
“When you have no concerns in your mind you are able to win a lot of times, that's how I felt when we were able to win at Dortmund.”
“In my opinion, Havertz is even better than Ballack in terms of his playing ability.”
“I have no problem with answering questions honestly or even looking outside the box and answering private questions.”
“Jurgen Klopp is more the emotional one and someone who can motivate really well. Pep Guardiola is more tactical, who always takes care of details and wants to show you how to do everything. Both are world-class managers and both have their own qualities. Both are amazing personalities.”
“The Champions League is one of the biggest club stages you can reach and I think for players it is an honour to be part of it. It certainly is for me. You just enjoy being a part of it playing against the best clubs in Europe.”
“I grew up in a very multi-cultural society.”
“Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel, Joachim Low... How many players can say they've had coaches like them?”
“Klopp's philosophy? Getting the ball back, a quick switching game, combinations and then ice cold in front of goal.”