Gundogan won't rest on laurels

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Ilkay Gundogan insists Manchester City should not take victory against Schalke in the Champions League on Tuesday for granted.

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The Premier League leaders won last month's round of 16 first-leg encounter in Germany 3-2 while the Bundesliga outfit are enduring a poor campaign.

It was not straightforward for Pep Guardiola's team in Gelsenkirchen though as they trailed 2-1 until the closing stages and also had Nicolas Otamendi sent off.

Gundogan said: "We mustn't give Schalke any chances. Hopefully, we'll be on our game, playing our style. If so, I believe we can win the game.

"But we shouldn't be too comfortable after the result at Schalke. At the knockout stages, to have gone to Schalke and got a win, makes you feel happy and puts you in a comfortable situation but there's still a game to play.

"Schalke only have to score two goals so we shouldn't feel too comfortable.

"If we want to be named as the best in Europe, we have to do it [win the Champions League]. It's our ambition but in terms of how we play, we feel we are already quite good.

"We have to prove it on results and, obviously, that means going as far as possible in the Champions League - that's our target. That's why we play."

City are 9/4 to win the Champions League this season and 4/11 to retain their Premier League crown. They can be backed at 7/2 to beat Schalke on Tuesday by a three-goal margin.

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Ilkay Gundogan insists Manchester City should not take victory against Schalke in the Champions League on Tuesday for granted.

Advertisement

The Premier League leaders won last month's round of 16 first-leg encounter in Germany 3-2 while the Bundesliga outfit are enduring a poor campaign.

It was not straightforward for Pep Guardiola's team in Gelsenkirchen though as they trailed 2-1 until the closing stages and also had Nicolas Otamendi sent off.

Gundogan said: "We mustn't give Schalke any chances. Hopefully, we'll be on our game, playing our style. If so, I believe we can win the game.

"But we shouldn't be too comfortable after the result at Schalke. At the knockout stages, to have gone to Schalke and got a win, makes you feel happy and puts you in a comfortable situation but there's still a game to play.

"Schalke only have to score two goals so we shouldn't feel too comfortable.

"If we want to be named as the best in Europe, we have to do it [win the Champions League]. It's our ambition but in terms of how we play, we feel we are already quite good.

"We have to prove it on results and, obviously, that means going as far as possible in the Champions League - that's our target. That's why we play."

City are 9/4 to win the Champions League this season and 4/11 to retain their Premier League crown. They can be backed at 7/2 to beat Schalke on Tuesday by a three-goal margin.

Source: bet365.com