City have already confirmed top spot in the group to seal our place in the last 16 of the competition.
But rather than rest on our laurels against Zagreb – who are still fighting to try and claim second spot – Gundogan says he and his colleagues are eager to finish the group stages with a flourish.
And the German midfielder says a positive result in Zagreb on Wednesday evening would be the perfect response to the disappointment of losing to Manchester United last weekend.
“Tomorrow is a new challenge, a new competition. The game starts from zero. It’s about ourselves, putting a good performance on the pitch to try and win the game,” declared Gundogan.
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“It’s a great feeling to be in the knockout stage already. We also have a responsibility, to ourselves to play a good game and perform tomorrow. In our squad, there is so much quality, anything else would be stupid.
“We want to perform well tomorrow and we’ll play to try and win. Hopefully we’re able to do that.
“Of course, there is a bit of lack of confidence when you lose games, when you recognise you didn’t play as well as you could. I think we are strong, especially mentally. We should be able to do our best in every game.
“After having two great seasons it is even tough to perform the third one in a row… it’s also the challenge. If you want to be at the top, you have to play the same successful football each season.
“The only way out of this (tough period) is to stick together. Every single player must take responsibility to reach their best level again. The sooner we try, the sooner we will be successful. It is a challenge, we accept it.”
Looking ahead to the game, Gundogan believes the Croatian hosts will present a formidable challenge in front of their own supporters.
And Gundogan says the way Dinamo pushed City all the way in the group game at the Etihad in Octoer before we won 2-0 with two second half goals merely confirmed their quality.
“When I saw them play Atalanta it wasn’t just the result that impressed,” Gundoigan added.
“They could have scored much more goals. Playing them in the second group game showed how tough a test it is to play them.
“We couldn’t score in the first half. We scored in the middle of the second and then very late for the second goal. Over 90 minutes it was a very tough game. I’m expecting a tougher and more difficult game tomorrow here.”
