National team
Gündogan: “We mustn’t allow any more slip-ups”
Ilkay Gündogan (l) defends national coach Hansi Flick. photo
© Federico Gambarini/dpa
Before the two international football matches against Japan and France, Ilkay Gündogan sends a clear message: The German national team has to deliver almost a year before the home World Cup.
Football National Player Ilkay Gündogan demanded good results ahead of the internationals against Japan and France.
“As a team, it must be clear to us that we have to deliver now. We can’t allow ourselves any more slip-ups,” said the FC Barcelona midfielder in an interview with “Sport Bild”. “We need a basis so that we can play for the title at the European Championships. We need results and the right mentality. Accordingly, we only have finals left for now.”
Gündogan protects Flick
The 32-year-old, who had won the triple of FA Cup, championship and Champions League with Manchester City last season, also tried to cushion the criticism of national coach Hansi Flick.
“We now have to prove that we not only play for top clubs, but that we also have the quality to compete with the best at national team level,” said Gündogan. “At some point we players have to question ourselves, it can’t always be about the coach.”
Praise from Voller
Sports director Rudi Völler expects Gündogan to play a bigger role in the national team in the coming months. “Ilkay has played very well at Manchester City for years, he has shaped the team. It is clear that he now wants to lead the way in the national team as well. He will be an important factor,” Völler told “Sport Bild”. .
The DFB selection meets Japan this Saturday (8.45 p.m. / RTL) in Wolfsburg and vice world champion France in Dortmund on Tuesday next week.