Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan expects Scotland to offer a tough check for his aspect within the opening match of Euro 2024.
The Barcelona midfielder is searching for to finish a decade of torment for Die Mannschaft by guiding the three-time European Champions to the latter phases of the event on residence soil.
The 33-year-old moved to the Nou Camp after seven years at Man Metropolis final season and can come head to head with quite a few acquainted faces, not least Man United rival Scott McTominay and Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, the Scotland captain.
“I anticipate a troublesome sport,” he informed a pre-match press convention. “I do know a variety of gamers from the Premier League. They’re very skilled.
“I do suppose they are often difficult however they’re additionally good when it comes to how they play. We should not underestimate them.
“I’ve respect for them, but when we play to our potential, I feel we’ve got a superb likelihood of profitable the sport tomorrow.”
Wichtig, am Ende den Sieg geholt zu haben – noch 7 Tage! 🇩🇪🏟️💪🏼 // Necessary to get this win ultimately – 7 days left! 🇩🇪🏟️💪🏼 #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/N0fHJ4rdxd
— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) June 7, 2024
Gundogan has received 77 caps over a 13-year worldwide profession however missed Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph in Germany on account of a again harm.
He revealed he went to assist the nationwide crew within the fan festivals aged 15 when Germany hosted their final main event – the 2006 World Cup, wherein they completed third below Jurgen Klinsmann.
“It’s an enormous privilege not solely to steer the crew onto the pitch as captain, but additionally to play with my teammates in my nation. You don’t get such an opportunity fairly often,” he mentioned.
“I used to be on the fan festivals as a teen in 2006. To now be a part of this crew and to signify the German individuals is an honour. We need to make them proud.”
Gündogan with Germany within the final coaching earlier than the match in opposition to Scotland. #EURO2024 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/1gsMtLdhwu
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) June 13, 2024
Gundogan hailed the affect of head coach Julian Nagelsmann who took over the position in September after Gundogan’s new membership boss Hansi Flick turned the primary German coach ever to be fired.
Having not received a knockout sport since Euro 2016, German followers have been put by means of the mill over latest years, however Gundogan mentioned: “It helped us that the coach assigned clear roles.
“After the damaging experiences of the previous tournaments, everybody is aware of what’s at stake and what they need to do.
“That provides us a sure sense of safety. The ends in the follow matches converse for the great morale and environment within the crew.”
