Ilkay Gundogan wants the support of the fans; Pep Guardiola doesn't want booing

• Soccer

Manchester City will play the final after two years. In 2021, Pep Guardiola's team was unlucky to lift the trophy, but this year things could be different. In the final, a much easier opponent awaits them than then, even though Citizens were favorites in 2021 as well.

Ilkay Gundogan is one of City's key players this season and a player from whom much is expected in the final. The German expects that a large number of fans will be in the stands. Gundogan emphasized the importance of the fans and thanked them for their support which has been going on for years.

‘Our fans are going to be so important for us again this weekend, as they always are. You only have to look at Saturday’s match at Wembley to show you how vital they are to our performance,’ -he said, as quoted by METRO.

Our fans were amazing from start to finish. Hearing them sing Blue Moon in the tunnel, the deafening atmosphere as we walked out onto the pitch to a sea of blue, the Poznan as we waited for the match to start on the pitch, it was incredible and, in my opinion, helped us score after 13 seconds.

To score that early was an unbelievable feeling and it felt like a reward for how amazing our fans were. Now we need them again in Istanbul.' Ilkay wants the fans to show how much they support their team from the first minute.

Without fans, it is difficult to achieve great success. ‘From the moment we wait in the tunnel, as we line-up on the pitch and during the whole game, we need that positive noise again. We know our fans will be there for us and we will give everything to make them proud.’

Pep Guardiola reacts

Pep Guardiola agreed with the German and expects the fans to really support their team.

The Spanish expert asked the fans not to boo like previous times. 'I agree with Ilkay, it is a day to celebrate
Inter fans, City fans, a day to be happy. Celebrate being here. Finish, what happens in the past is the past.
It’s an incredible competition, UEFA organise it, we support unconditionally what they’re doing. We aren’t going to boo again and have fun.’