Ilkay Gündoğan: 'Two crucial games coming up'

After booking their place in the knock out stages of the Champions League thanks to Tuesday's 2-1 win over FC Porto, Ilkay Gündoğan is clear that the team needs to maintain that momentum for the upcoming fixtures in La Liga. "Getting through was really important after two years of not doing it. It's a great achievement and it has given us confidence," said the German midfielder in an interview with Club media. 

Now the focus is on domestic competition and Barça have two vital home games in La Liga coming up. "We are focused on picking up points. We have to keep working and the first step is to be beat Atlético Madrid." said Gündoğan ahead of Sunday's meeting with Diego Simeone's team at the Estadi Olímpic. 

For the German international beating Atlético will be no easy feat. "They are a team near the top of the table and they have great potential," he said before noting the Club from Madrid are impressing not just in defence this season, but also going forward. "They are a mentally very solid side, with a lot of experience and quality in defence and attack. It's a good game to win and show what we can do," he added. 

The midfielder concluded that "stopping Atlético" will be key, something that will be made easier with "the support of the home fans."