CL: Manchester City must take the next step in Europe, says Ilkay Gundogan

Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan

Manchester City's improved defensive record means they are better prepared for the fine margins of the Champions League latter stages this season, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said on Tuesday.

City are aiming to reach the semi-finals for the first time in five years under Pep Guardiola when they take a 2-1 lead to Gundogan's old club Borussia Dortmund for the second leg of their quarter-final tie on Wednesday.

Marco Reus's away goal for the Germans in Manchester last week was the first goal City had conceded in more than 800 minutes in the Champions League since their opening group game in October. Defensive mistakes have been a consistent feature of City's exits in Europe's premier club competition under Guardiola.

Critical misses

They were knocked out on away goals by Monaco in 2017 after a the tie ended 6-6, lost 5-1 over two legs to Liverpool in 2018 and again missed out on away goals against Tottenham in 2019 after a 4-4 draw on aggregate. Last season it was Lyon who shocked them. "It is important [to take the next step in Europe]. I have expectations for myself, I have expectations for my teammates, to my team," said Gundogan.

‘Stable team'

"We have great players and a great team and should have been to the semis earlier. We were lacking something. We made

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