I lkay Gündogan creeps across the pitch at the Max-Morlock Stadion, hands over his face. He has just missed a header from less than five yards out. Fans who had been confidently shouting “Tor” are looking at each other in disbelief.
Shortly after, Gündogan is tearing his hair out because his pass to Jamal Musiala rolls out of play. It is not the first misunderstanding between the pair that evening. Nuremberg, 10 days ago, Germany’s friendly against Ukraine.
The game ends 0-0, and the home team have by no means disappointed, whatever the result might suggest. Gündogan has not got into the game but Julian Nagelsmann chooses to praise him. “Illy played well,” the head coach says.
He stands up for the midfielder, protects him, and he has reason to do so. Gündogan is in demand at the best European clubs. A year ago, as captain, he led Manchester City to the treble; since then he has been the playmaker at Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernández can’t be wrong, and nor can Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel, who valued him equally highly at Borussia Dortmund. Gündogan has just been voted into La Liga’s team of the season. With Germany, however, it has never really worked out.
There is an online joke circulating asking whether Gündogan will send his twin brother to international matches again. His quality is overlooked. His career with the national team has run contrary to his club career.
He has yet to play a successful role for Germany at a tournament .
