Ilkay Gundogan He feels that Manchester City has a responsibility to put things right after a “sloppy” performance. RB Leipzig.
The city was held together 1-1 draw on their first leg Champions League Last 16 draw with Germany at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday.
The Premier League champions took a 1-0 lead with Riyad Mahrez after a dominant first half but was pulled back by a shot. Josko Gvardiol header in the second period
City captain Gundogan, speaking to City TV, said, “It was a little disappointing not to win after the first half performance.”
“I felt our game was a little sloppy in the second half, at least in some periods. We probably lost some easy balls, let them find opportunities. It’s like we relaxed some parts of the second half.
“Unfortunately we weren’t able to maximize our gains when the momentum was on our side – maybe by scoring a goal or two more – and with the momentum on their side, we couldn’t minimize the damage.
“But this is the Champions League, so simple things get punished too quickly.
“We know how difficult it is to move forward, but it is our responsibility to always go forward and do better with the squad we have. And now that’s the purpose of the second leg.”
City got the well-deserved win in the 27th minute. Jack Grealish He jumped onto a loose ball and passed between Gundogan’s legs for Mahrez to sweep home.
Yet other chances came and went, and City were penalized for extravagance as Leipzig stepped up their game after the break.
The leveler came 20 minutes after Croatia defender Gvardiol went high in a corner for a header.
Gundogan made a good save from Janis Blaswich and City’s penalty appeal for handball was turned down over the backlash of the visitors, but the night ended in disappointment.
“Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be like that, but it was expected to be a difficult second half,” said Gundogan.
“It was a little disappointing to admit that but I think it’s a good result to take home at the end of the day and frankly we need to finish the job at Etihad now.”
The result came after City were also held by Nottingham Forest last weekend and as a result they lost a spot in the Premier League title race.
They will try to come back to win as they head to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Gündoğan said, “It will not be easy, but there is nothing we have not done in the past. We have a good group and we need everybody and I think we will be ready for Bournemouth.”