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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sid Lowe in Stuttgart

Gündogan relishing Spain challenge after Germany lift nation’s mood

Ilkay Gündogan (right), in Germany training alongside Chris Führich
Ilkay Gündogan (right), in Germany training alongside Chris Führich, says: ‘Every game is like a final now.’ Photograph: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images

Ilkay Gündogan believes Germany can look forward to their quarter-final against Spain “with a smile” having already changed the mood in the country and fulfilled their objectives at Euro 2024.

The midfielder said that the challenge now is to seek perfection in order to apply the “ice on the topping” by continuing in the competition. To help them do so, their head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, revealed he had a plan to stop Spain dominating through Rodri, to deal with Lamine Yamal, who Gündogan insisted Germany did not plan to kick,and that the takers have already been named should the tie reach a penalty shootout.

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