‘Rejected’ Ilkay back at Schalke
City star relishes Champs League tie
Gelsenkirchen – Having been rejected as an eight-year-old by Schalke 04, Ilkay Gundogan is relishing returning to Gelsenkirchen with Manchester City in what could potentially be a one-sided Champions League clash.
While Pep Guardiola’s highflying City are top the Premier League table, Schalke, their opponents in the last 16, firstleg clash, are just above the Bundesliga’s relegation places and struggling to score goals down in 14th place.
Like City’s Germany winger Leroy Sane, Gundogan, 28, began his career at Schalke’s academy, but despite having been rejected as a child after only one season, there will be no element of revenge come kickoff at the Veltins Arena. “I have [forgiven them], but it wasn’t always so,” Gundogan told German magazine Kicker with a grin. “At the time, due to growth spurts, I had physical problems and couldn’t play any sports for half a year, so I dropped out.
“Three or four years later, Schalke attempted to contact me, but I was a bit resentful. “I just wanted to play football with my closest friends rather than be back in an academy.” Gundogan ended up playing for local club Hessler, joining Bochum as a junior before playing Bundesliga football for Nuremberg. He then spent five years at Borussia Dortmund from where he joined City in 2016.
On paper, City could run riot in Germany, but Gundogan insists the Mancunians will take nothing for granted. “There is a danger as everyone thinks Schalke don’t have a chance and even though it’s an away game, we’re expected to dominate,” said Gundogan. Schalke last reached the Champions League quarterfinals in 2011. –