Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan praise Manchester City pair ahead of emotional Etihad Stadium return | OneFootball

Galatasaray pair Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan have piled on the praise for Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland respectively as they prepare to face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night.

City must win in their final group-stage fixture to avoid the play-off stage of the competition for a second year running, having dropped to 11th in the group-phase rankings after losing 3-1 to Bodo/Glimt in Norway last week.

The Blues returned to winning ways at the weekend as goals from Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo in a 2-0 victory over Wolves secured a first Premier League triumph in 2026 for Guardiola and co.

Semenyo and fellow January signing Marc Guehi are ineligible to feature against Galatasaray, with Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku amongst those who were rested at the weekend and are expected to return to the starting XI on Wednesday night.

Speaking on an emotional return to the club he captained to a historic treble and a maiden UEFA Champions League title, Galatasaray midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said: “I’m still a fan of this football club, this team, this manager,” in conversation with Manchester City’s official channels.

“I watch as many games as I can and even if we weren’t facing them in the UEFA Champions League, it wouldn’t change anything because there are so many people close to my heart here, and obviously, I wish City nothing but the best.”

City moved three points closer to Arsenal at the weekend as the Premier League leaders fell to a surprise 3-2 defeat at home to Manchester United. Giving his two cents on the title race, Gundogan added: “I believe Manchester City are able to beat Arsenal to the Premier League title.

“They were able to close the gap and we all know once this team gets momentum, I think they’ll be able to go on a long unbeaten run. I believe in them, the manager, the team, and wish them nothing but the best.”

Haaland, whom Gundogan shared a strong relationship with during their time together in Manchester, has scored just once – a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Brighton on January 8 – in his last nine appearances for City.

“Never underestimate him,” Gundogan said on Haaland. “He’s one of the best strikers in the world and a goal machine. We all know he has everything in his locker to score as many in a game during the season as he wants, so it’s almost impossible to control him throughout 90 minutes.

“But of course, it’s important for us (Galatasaray) on Wednesday to stop him – not just Erling – as a team, collectively, try to prevent situations where he can score. That will be one of the secrets if we are to get something out of the game.”

In a wide-ranging interview with BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella, Leroy Sane fondly remembered his time working with Guardiola at Manchester City. Describing Guardiola as the “definitive architect of modern football”, Sane said that the Catalan “completely reprogrammed my footballing brain”.

“Pep (Guardiola) shows you a different sport entirely,” the 2017-18 PFA Young Player of the Year said. “His tactical demands are relentless but he didn’t just coach me – he evolved me. I left his guidance as a far more complete player than I ever thought possible.”

Sane left Manchester City for Bayern Munich for £55 million in 2020. On whether he has retained contact with Guardiola and his former teammates at the Etihad Stadium, the Germany international added: “Absolutely! I’ve never truly lost touch with some friends at the club. I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends again on Wednesday.

“When the UEFA Champions League draw came out, I hoped Manchester City might have already secured top-eight by the time we met! But now it’s a high‑stakes, crucial game for both. Facing them at the Etihad when everything is on the line? It doesn’t get more intense.”

The last 12 months have witnessed a major revamp of the Manchester City first-team squad, with Hugo Viana spearheading this rebuild after taking over as director of football from Txiki Begiristain, who brought Sane to the Etihad Stadium from Schalke in 2016.

On the gradual squad evolution at Manchester City since his return to Germany, Sane said: “It shows evolution never stops. Legends like Kevin (De Bruyne) or Ilkay (Gundogan) move on because sometimes you need a new horizon after winning it all.

“But make no mistake – at Manchester City, the pressure is constant. If you don’t perform at the highest level every single week, the club is built to move forward – with or without you.”

Sane received a great reception from the Etihad Stadium faithful when he came off the bench for Bayern Munich against City in Manchester in 2023, with the 30-year-old and Gundogan expected to be warmly welcomed back on Wednesday night.