Former Manchester City captain [b]Ilkay Gündogan[/b] has opened up about the club’s struggles in the 2024/25 season, attributing their decline to a lack of “desire and determination” rather than just tactical decisions. Gündogan, who captained the team during their recent golden years, expressed concern that the tactical focus under Pep Guardiola may have unintentionally overshadowed the crucial mentality that once made City a dominant force in English and European football. 

Despite winning four consecutive Premier League titles under Guardiola, with six in the last seven seasons, Manchester City now finds themselves sitting in sixth place in the Premier League standings, with only seven games remaining. The team’s recent form has been far from the standards expected, and as the top five spots in the league secure Champions League qualification, every match has become a high-stakes affair for the club. 

Speaking to ESPN, Gündogan pointed out that the team's struggles go beyond simple injuries or tactical changes and delve into the deeper issue of mentality. “I feel like in a lot of games… maybe we gave sometimes a bit too much importance to tactics and didn’t really pay attention much on behaviour,” he remarked. Gündogan emphasized that the essential elements of “determination, desire, aggressivity” that were once integral to City’s play have been somewhat neglected. He further elaborated, suggesting that City’s recent troubles have stemmed from forgetting these foundational characteristics, which should always be considered normal for a team aiming for success.

The midfielder also reflected on moments when City had briefly rediscovered their competitive edge. He cited the team's thrilling FA Cup comeback against Bournemouth as a rare occasion where the squad regained their spark. “Especially after conceding the first one… the way we behaved there… I think it was just unbelievable,” Gündogan said, recalling the fightback that demonstrated the team’s potential when they rediscovered their hunger.

As Manchester City now faces a pivotal clash against Crystal Palace next Saturday, with their hopes of securing a Champions League spot hanging in the balance, Gündogan's comments reflect the growing pressure on the team to find that missing edge once again. With the season nearing its climax, every point from here on out will be crucial for City’s aspirations to continue competing at Europe’s top table. The team's mentality, more than tactics, will likely determine whether they can salvage their season and secure the necessary qualification for next year's Champions League.