According to Sport, the German midfielder has barely featured for Galatasaray this season. Galatasaray will face Barcelona on Tuesday. Gundogan also stated, "If I don't play, how can I be ready?"

Barcelona will face a familiar opponent on Tuesday, though Gundogan is more likely to be on the bench than on the pitch. Gundogan, who played for Barcelona in the 2023-24 season, is currently experiencing the darkest period of his career at Galatasaray. At 35, and turning 36 in two weeks, the German player has been sidelined in Buruk's squad, which will host Flick's team at Rams Park in Istanbul for the second round of the Champions League.

The statistics are alarming. Gundogan has only played 11 minutes all season. Such a decline is difficult to accept for a player who won everything with Manchester City, lifted the Champions League trophy, and arrived at Barcelona as a dressing room leader.

The German player, whose contract runs until 2027, does not shy away from his situation. After the 3-1 victory over Kasimpasa last Friday, a reporter asked him if he was ready to face his former club. His answer was short but telling: "If I don't play, why should I be ready?"

Buruk offered his explanation following the team's heavy 4-0 defeat to Trabzonspor. The coach admitted he was satisfied with Gundogan's commitment in training and had not seen any negative attitude. However, he also acknowledged that the midfield competition was too fierce to give everyone playing time. Furthermore, his plan was to reinstate the Torreira-Lemina partnership, which he considered crucial for protecting the defense.

The matter has even reached the player's home. Gundogan's wife, Sara, responded on social media to a fan asking why the German player was absent: "Ask his coach."

No one in Istanbul expects a sudden turnaround for him on Tuesday. Gundogan returned to Manchester City after just one season at Barcelona, then moved to Turkey, hoping to extend his career with a final challenge. Now, he can only sit on the bench, watching the twilight of a career few anticipated.

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