The City midfielder is one of four members of Pep Guardiola’s squad to have previously featured for the German side, alongside new recruits Sergio Gomez, Manuel Akanji and Erling Haaland.
We lock horns with Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, as both sides vie for top spot in Group G.
And while the German international has conceded that it will be difficult to take the emotion out of the game, he hopes to channel it to his and the team’s favour under the Etihad lights.
Asked whether Haaland was nervous ahead of the encounter, Gundogan also added that the Norwegian is instead excited to face his former club.
He said: “No [he is not nervous], he said he was very happy and asked me what I was thinking [when draw was made].
“For me it is quite in the past – I have been here six years now. It will be more special for him than me because he knows 95% of the squad.
“I know a few and I am very excited for the game here and the one in Dortmund. It will be very special for me.
“I am sure it is impossible to take it out [the emotion]. All of us have memories attached to Dortmund. All of us have mainly positive memories.
“It is going to be difficult to take emotions out completely, but we deal with them always as professional football players.
“We need to use them in our favour, be calm and cool and that is sometimes the hardest thing.”
Hear Ilkay’s pre-match thoughts in full via the video above…
