In the course of a year, 35 minutes passes 15,017 times. 35 minutes is not much time; even half a football match is longer than that. 35 minutes is by no means an eternity, yet it was long enough for a moment of bliss for Ilkay Gündogan, whose understanding of time has shifted somewhat during a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
After a year without playing, Gündogan was back out on the pitch last Friday for an internal friendly match at BVB. After the match he related the experience to the Bild sports newspaper. “It felt so awesome to be back playing again,” he said. Although 35 minutes was not exactly a fleeting appearance, the midfielder would happily have stayed out on the field, having initially been earmarked for a 15-minute stint before completing more than twice that time. Nevertheless, reason ultimately prevailed. “I’ve got to take it steady at the moment,” he admitted.
World Cup and 13 months of football the price paid for injury
For Gündogan, it is now a case of ‘slow and steady wins the race’ to ensure he is not beset by any further setbacks. After an inflamed nerve in his back cost the midfielder the chance to win the World Cup in Brazil and 13 months of his career, his comeback is not a matter of giving or taking a day. The 23-year-old has learned to be laidback about his situation and knows that ambition is only helpful in measured doses as he works towards a competitive return. “You have to become a little more relaxed,” he said.
Everything is relative, not least time. He cites Marco Reus’s latest injury as one example of this, expressing his shock at his colleague’s latest setback before adding: “Four weeks sounds like a lot, and it’s tough, but with my history that sounds like almost nothing to me. I’ve had to learn to live with injuries and accept that they’re part of this sport.”
Gündogan: "I’m not worried at all"
Although he has lost 13 months, Gündogan’s confidence remains undimmed and his optimism is growing ever greater as his comeback draws closer and his opportunities to kick a ball around increase. “I’m not worried at all,” he said. He doesn’t shy away from tackles and is regaining competitive experience in training, adding: “I’m not going easy on myself.”
Ilkay Gündogan knows that he has not yet rediscovered the form he was in prior to his injury – how could he? Nevertheless, he is convinced that he can still surpass the level he reached previously. “If everything carries on as before and I don’t suffer any more setbacks, I’m sure I can improve even further. In any case, I know I haven’t forgotten anything.”
In the course of a year, 35 minutes passes 15,017 times. 35 minutes is not much time; even half a football match is longer than that. 35 minutes is by no means an eternity, yet it was long enough for a moment of bliss for Ilkay Gündogan, whose understanding of time has shifted somewhat during a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
After a year without playing, Gündogan was back out on the pitch last Friday for an internal friendly match at BVB. After the match he related the experience to the Bild sports newspaper. “It felt so awesome to be back playing again,” he said. Although 35 minutes was not exactly a fleeting appearance, the midfielder would happily have stayed out on the field, having initially been earmarked for a 15-minute stint before completing more than twice that time. Nevertheless, reason ultimately prevailed. “I’ve got to take it steady at the moment,” he admitted.
World Cup and 13 months of football the price paid for injury
For Gündogan, it is now a case of ‘slow and steady wins the race’ to ensure he is not beset by any further setbacks. After an inflamed nerve in his back cost the midfielder the chance to win the World Cup in Brazil and 13 months of his career, his comeback is not a matter of giving or taking a day. The 23-year-old has learned to be laidback about his situation and knows that ambition is only helpful in measured doses as he works towards a competitive return. “You have to become a little more relaxed,” he said.
Everything is relative, not least time. He cites Marco Reus’s latest injury as one example of this, expressing his shock at his colleague’s latest setback before adding: “Four weeks sounds like a lot, and it’s tough, but with my history that sounds like almost nothing to me. I’ve had to learn to live with injuries and accept that they’re part of this sport.”
Gündogan: "I’m not worried at all"
Although he has lost 13 months, Gündogan’s confidence remains undimmed and his optimism is growing ever greater as his comeback draws closer and his opportunities to kick a ball around increase. “I’m not worried at all,” he said. He doesn’t shy away from tackles and is regaining competitive experience in training, adding: “I’m not going easy on myself.”
Ilkay Gündogan knows that he has not yet rediscovered the form he was in prior to his injury – how could he? Nevertheless, he is convinced that he can still surpass the level he reached previously. “If everything carries on as before and I don’t suffer any more setbacks, I’m sure I can improve even further. In any case, I know I haven’t forgotten anything.”
