Gündogan’s “special” game: for the first time against Turkey

“I try to travel to Turkey at least once every year. Istanbul is one of my absolute favorite cities in the world and I love Turkish food,” the 33-year-old told the German Press Agency. “My grandparents, parents and other relatives still live in Turkey in Izmir, and of course I also have many friends there.”

72. Deployment for Germany

In “difficult moments” such as the forest fires in 2021 or the earthquake this year, he “also supported and helped out on site with charity projects,” said Gündogan, who will most likely be in the sold-out Berlin Olympic Stadium on Saturday (8:45 p.m. / RTL). will appear for the German national football team for the 72nd time. “It will be a very special game for me – no question about it.”

Gündogan led the DFB selection as captain in a game for the first time in March 2019. Almost a year earlier, the photo of him, his teammate Mesut Özil and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan caused great criticism and months of excitement around the national team. Unlike Özil, Gündogan dealt with the case openly, explained himself and remained an integral part of the DFB selection.

Gündogan: “Hope for a great football festival”

Gündogan was missing from the test against Turkey in October 2020 (3:3). “When I think about it, it took quite a long time. But I’m really looking forward to it,” said the FC Barcelona professional, who won the Champions League with Manchester City in Istanbul in June, about his personal debut. “I hope for a great football festival.”

He usually follows the Turkish selection on TV. “If we play at the same time, then at least in the summary afterwards,” said the midfielder. “I was very happy when Turkey qualified for the European Championships and I am also convinced that they can pull off a surprise.”

Praise for Nagelsmann

Meanwhile, according to the DFB selection, national coach Julian Nagelsmann has already introduced Gündogan to “a lot of his tactical philosophy in a very short space of time.” “Although he is very young, he is a very intelligent, very clever and tactically advanced coach,” he said, adding: “His successes at a young age are remarkable.”

Nagelsmann (36) took over the DFB team from the unsuccessful Hansi Flick in September. The first two games with the former Bayern coach against the USA (3:1) and Mexico (2:2) “were quite good overall,” said Gündogan. “You have to take into account that it wasn’t that easy with the long journey and the time change in the middle of the season to the USA.”

After the games against Turkey and three days later in Vienna against Austria, the DFB selection will “know even better where we stand,” said the captain. “Perhaps there will be further regression in individual phases, but overall I am very confident that we will get stronger and stronger between now and the European Championships.” The home European Championship 2024 will kick off on June 14th in Munich.

dpa