Man City fans make their feelings clear over Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane returns ahead of Galatasaray

Man City supporters welcomed back two former players to the Etihad Stadium as Pep Guardiola’s side took on Galatasaray in the Champions League.

After losing back-to-back games against Man United and Bodo/Glimt, Man City got back to winning ways against Wolves, with the Citizens desperate for a fourth victory in Europe.

It has been a very strange season for Erling Haaland, but the Norwegian international calmed a few nerves when opening the scoring in the first 11 minutes on Wednesday, 28 January.

Despite the gravity of the game, the match-going fans still made sure to greet Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan, players who have both left the country in recent seasons.

Since the latter left in the summer, Man City have signed Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki for more bodies in the middle of the park, and what incredible additions they have been so far.

Man City fans show their love for Galatasaray duo before kick-off

Both lineups were read out before kick-off, and with Gundogan and Sane both starting, fans showed support for the duo who gave so much for the club during their time at the Etihad.

Reporting for BBC Sport (28 January), Shamoon Hafez wrote: “There’s a warm round of applause for the returning Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane when their names were read out before kick-off.

“The pair notched almost 500 appearances combined for Manchester City, with Gundogan captaining the club to lifting the trophy in this competition – and completing the Treble – three years ago.”

Man City continue to do incredible transfer business. Many thought that players such as Gundogan would be irreplaceable, not least Kevin De Bruyne, but Guardiola keeps adding huge names to the squad.

Kevin De Bruyne experienced a very different return to Man City

Players have very different experiences at the Etihad Stadium, and the Galatasaray duo would not have loved the early stages, with Haaland opening the scoring in style.

It was even worse for the former magical playmaker, though, as De Bruyne was substituted in the first half after Giovanni Di Lorenzo was shown a straight red card.

With Cherki doubling the lead before the half-hour mark, it was another good night for the home side, but a disappointing one for its former players, who were on the losing side.

The Citizens have certainly struggled for consistency this season, but it was an important first 45 minutes in Manchester against a very tricky customer in Galatasaray.

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