The German midfielder believes replicating the quality of our first leg display at the Santiago Bernabeu back in February will give City the best chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.
Madrid come into the game having prevailed over Barcelona in the battle for the La Liga title on the penultimate game of the season, but Gundogan does not feel the mental and physical energy Los Blancos expended in their title triumph gives his side an advantage.
Rather than being overly concerned by Madrid’s preparation, he prefers instead to concentrate on ensuring City fulfil our own potential.
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“That’s something [Madrid’s build-up] I’m not even thinking about,” he said.
“We should just perform as we did at the Bernabeu in the first leg and I’m sure we can go through.
“The only thing we should do is look at ourselves. To know that we have the quality to go through this round and do very well in the competition is enough motivation for me.
“Of course, we are going to prepare and analyse them, there is no doubt about that, but I don’t want to think about their situation.
“I just want to focus on us and the mentality to go and win the game.”
The 29-year-old is also motivated by the opportunity to deliver the Club’s first Champions League trophy.
After the disappointment of our Premier League campaign, City’s No.8 says the squad are determined to give their all in a bid to ensure a special end to the season.
A poor first half showing against Arsenal prevented us from achieving the same in the FA Cup and whilst we bounced back with convincing wins over relegated Watford and Norwich City, Gundogan knows we’ll have to raise our level against the 13-time winners of Europe’s top prize.
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“It can still be a great season and of course, that’s what we want to achieve,” he added.
“We have a big game against Madrid. That’s the last competition we have to win a trophy, which will be difficult enough, but it’s not impossible.
“We need to try and do our best. I am sure we are going to be better against Madrid.
“It’s now up to us to show it.”
