City’s first-leg lead under threat from ‘quality’ side – Gundogan

Ilkay Gundogan has warned of the quality of Borussia Dortmund ahead of Manchester City's Champions League return clash against his former club.

City face the German side in the second leg of their quarter-final at Signal Iduna Park tonight. The Premier League leaders hold a 2-1 advantage from last week's first encounter but Gundogan was impressed by Dortmund's strength.

The midfielder said: “I wasn’t surprised. I still follow them a lot and watch as many games as possible.

“I know they have a lot of quality in the squad and individually with amazing, fast players. I know they can beat, on a good day, every good team in Europe.”

City manager Pep Guardiola insists his side will not sit back on their advantage.

He said: “We are looking forward. Many things can happen, nothing is guaranteed. We had a good result, we don't defend, everything to win.”

His team have been beaten in the quarter-finals in each of the past three seasons and have not reached the last four since 2016. Guardiola is keen to take the next step after their frustrations of recent seasons.

He added: "Now is the time to make another step, everyone wants it. The players first because the were sad when we were not able to go to the semifinals.”

The highly-rated Erling Haaland could be key to Dortmund's hopes of turning the tie around.

Guardiola says he has not devised a specific plan to deal with the 20-year-old striker.

He said: "No, we analysed the team as a team, not just one player. We knew the quality before and now but we look at Dortmund as a team, what they have done, what we imagine they can do."

Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho has been ruled out of the match his former club.

The England winger is back in training after six weeks out with a thigh injury but tonight’s clash at Signal Iduna Park comes too soon.

Dortmund's interim coach Edin Terzic said: “Jadon won't be at our disposal, although he trained again. He is doing his best to return as fast as possible and we would like to have him with us but he won't be.”

Dortmund also have doubts over the experienced pair Marco Reus – goalscorer in the first leg – and World Cupwinner Mats Hummels.