Ilkay Gundogan says he was proud to help City guarantee Champions League football this season.
[
Men's Team
Gundogan: Sometimes I still struggle to realise what we achieved](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/gundogan-farewell-interview-ataturk-63893631)
It was a tough campaign in 2024/25 but Gundogan played a key role in the closing stages as the Blues finished third in the Premier League table, a position which ensured elite European football for a 15th consecutive season.
Pep Guardiola’s men were unbeaten in our final 10 top-flight games, winning seven and drawing three with Gundogan bagging a decisive opener on the final day at Fulham, a result which rubber-stamped Champions League football once again.
City kick off this season’s Champions League journey against Napoli on Thursday at 20:00 (UK) after securing a third-place finish.
TICKETS | CITY V NAPOLI
The German was delighted to play his part after returning to the Club for a second spell at the start of the season.
“We went through all these difficulties together as a group, but came out of them still in a positive way,” he said.
[
Men's Team
I’ve created memories that will last a lifetime, says Gundogan](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/gundogan-farewell-interview-family-63893633)
“I think, at the end of the season, we were on it again. And that’s where also we made the Champions League at the end, because we found ourselves again.
“We found the right balance between each other, and it felt like it clicked again, at the end of last season.
“I think that’s how we played football as well; it was to our standard - to the highest standard, something that we were used for so many years.
“I think that’s worth a lot to be honest with you, because we should never forget where we where we are coming from.
“Having all these beautiful and amazing years, all the struggles, they are part of it.
“And going through the struggles, it just makes all the achievements sweeter and better, and makes it worth more as well.
“So I see last season also as a difficult one, but I will also never forget that we’ve played some, some really good football at the end, and we achieved our minimum target as well by reaching the Champions League.”
Sign-in and watch the full interview in the player above.