Gündogan: 'We're going to Naples for a good result'

Gündogan: 'We're going to Naples for a good result'

Midfielder speaks to La Vanguardia about his adaptation to Barcelona, the upcoming Champions League game and his relationship with Xavi

Ilkay Gündogan has spoken to La Vanguardia in the build-up to a huge game in Naples. "This is what the Champions League is all about" he says. "Making big demands. I love this kind of pressure. Every game starts from zero. The fact they have just changed managers won't make it any easier for us. If anything, it makes it even harder."

"There are other teams in the competition with more of a chance and better experience, but if we can reach the quarter finals, we are entering special territory. I am a realist, but I also know it's difficult for everybody."

Xavi

"Xavi played a huge role in me coming to Barcelona. If our conversations had gone another way, I wouldn't be here. He made the difference and I'm grateful for that. I didn't expect him to announce he was leaving at the end of the season but I respect his decision. He should get a lot of credit. He thinks about his family, the players and the club before himself. Xavi loves Barça."

Lamine Yamal

"The surprising thing about Lamine Yamal is his age. I had never trained professionally with someone so young. I have nothing to compare him with. He is very special, but we need to look after him, he's only a teenager and he's already got a lot of responsibility. The best thing I can do is lead the way and set an example for the players next to me. To make them realise that if they work hard they'll become better players. Lamine needs to see that kind of thing around him."

Adaptation to Barcelona

"My family and me are very happy here. We have a small child and we can even go outside with him in December After a few moves we have found the house we want. Me and my wife like going out for walks, trying new restaurants, exploring the city. After seven years in England, that was important"

"I knew I was coming to one of the biggest clubs in the world. With thousands of fans and opinions about all kinds of things. I try to strike some kind of balance."

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