Former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan has expressed frustration over his lack of playing time at Galatasaray after being asked whether he was ready to face Barcelona in the Champions League.
The 35-year-old midfielder delivered a blunt response to a reporter following Galatasaray’s 3-1 victory over Kasimpasa on Friday, highlighting the limited opportunities he has received this season.
“I’m not playing – so why should I be ready?” Gundogan replied when questioned about his readiness for the upcoming European fixture against his former club.
His comments come at a difficult period in Turkey, where a player who made a significant contribution to Galatasaray last season has struggled to secure a regular place in the team.
Just 11 Minutes of Football for Gundogan This Season
Gundogan has played only 11 minutes across Galatasaray’s eight matches this season, making brief substitute appearances against Corum on the opening day and Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.
He has remained an unused substitute in the club’s last six Turkish Super Lig matches, including Friday’s win over Kasimpasa.
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has instead favoured Lucas Torreira, formerly of Arsenal, and Gabriel Sara in midfield.
The lack of opportunities represents a sharp change for Gundogan, who played a key role during his first season with the Turkish champions.
Barcelona Clash Raises Questions About Gundogan’s Role
The midfielder’s remarks came as he walked towards the tunnel after the Kasimpasa match, when a reporter asked whether he was prepared to face Barcelona in midweek.
Gundogan’s response drew attention to the apparent disconnect between the importance of the Champions League fixture and his current position within the squad.
The upcoming match carries particular significance for the German international because he previously spent a season with Barcelona, making 51 appearances for the Catalan club.
However, with his involvement at Galatasaray limited so far this campaign, it remains unclear whether Buruk will include him in the plans for the European encounter.
From Key Contributor to Regular Substitute
Gundogan enjoyed a productive debut season at Galatasaray, making 38 appearances across all competitions and helping the club secure the Turkish Super Lig title.
His reduced role this season has therefore marked a notable change in his standing within the team.
The former Germany international joined the Turkish side after returning to Manchester City for a second spell. Before that move, he had established himself as one of the leading midfielders of Pep Guardiola’s era at City.
His experience and previous contributions make his limited involvement at Galatasaray a talking point ahead of the club’s next Champions League assignment.
Gundogan’s Manchester City Legacy
Gundogan famously captained Manchester City during their historic 2022-23 campaign, when the club won the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup to complete a treble.
Across his time at City, he collected five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups.
His leadership and midfield performances made him an important figure during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
His subsequent season at Barcelona provided another chapter in his career before he moved to Turkey, where he initially became an influential part of Galatasaray’s title-winning side.
Leroy Sane Also Facing Competition at Galatasaray
Gundogan is not the only former Manchester City player whose role at Galatasaray has attracted attention.
Leroy Sane has also had to settle for substitute appearances, coming off the bench in four of the club’s seven league matches referenced in the report.
The situations of both players underline the competition for places at a club balancing domestic ambitions with its Champions League campaign.
Galatasaray Prepare to Host Barcelona
Galatasaray enter the Barcelona fixture in a strong domestic position, sitting two points clear at the top of the Turkish Super Lig.
The Turkish champions are scheduled to host Barcelona on Tuesday in their second Champions League match of the season.
Whether Gundogan features against his former club remains uncertain, but his public response has placed renewed attention on his lack of playing time and his role under Buruk.
For the experienced midfielder, the immediate challenge is to regain a place in the team as Galatasaray prepare for one of their most prominent fixtures of the campaign.
