Gündogan, the Unrivaled Force
Ilkay Gündogan, a summer arrival from Manchester City after clinching the treble, emerged as a pivotal figure for Barcelona this season. Formerly the captain under Pep Guardiola’s reign at City, he now carries his leadership into Xavi Hernandez’s squad, showcasing his unwavering commitment to success.
Gündogan’s undeniable dedication to the Blaugrana becomes evident when examining his statistics. Following Lamine Yamal’s absence against Getafe, the German international stands as the sole Barcelona player to feature in every Liga match – a perfect 38 out of 38. His endurance extends beyond league play, making him the only squad member to participate in all 38 fixtures this season. Notably, he didn’t rest even in the early Copa del Rey rounds against lower-tier opponents like Barbastro and Unionistas de Salamanca or in the Champions League against Antwerp with qualification already secured. Behind him in appearances are Lamine Yamal and Lewandowski (35), Koundé (33), and Ferran Torres (32).
At 33 years old, Gündogan leads in minutes played for the current squad (3,018), followed by Koundé (2,810) and Lewandowski (2,721). Having started in 32 of the 38 matches, he exemplifies his indispensability in Xavi’s tactical setup. Gündogan, despite his age, is the team’s most prolific midfielder with five goals, ranking fourth in the overall squad behind Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Joao Félix. Furthermore, he excels in creating opportunities, leading the team with ten assists, surpassing even Raphinha by two.
His consistent performance throughout the season has been particularly noteworthy, but Gündogan’s impact has surged in recent matches, coinciding with Xavi’s tactical adjustments in the midfield. With Andreas Christensen as a central midfielder alongside Frenkie de Jong, Gündogan has been brought closer to the opponent’s area. This positioning allows the German international to contribute significantly between the lines, capitalizing on his exceptional playmaking abilities and goal-scoring instincts. Notably, three of his five goals for Barcelona occurred in 2024, reflecting a newfound dynamism in his role.
