Gündogan's bench time haunts Galatasaray as Istanbul fans wait

After seven Süper Lig matchdays, Ilkay Gündogan has logged a mere six minutes for Galatasaray Istanbul, a stark contrast to the expectations that once surrounded the former German captain. The same scarcity extends to the Champions League, where he has yet to make a meaningful impact.

Sparse minutes in the Süper Lig

Nach seven league fixtures, the 35‑year‑old midfielder has only managed a single brief appearance, amounting to six Einsatz minutes. His debut on matchday one saw him step onto the pitch for just five minutes in a 1‑3 defeat to Sporting Lissabon.

Champions League silence

Even in the group phase of the Champions League, Gündogan has not been deployed in any substantial capacity. The former captain of the German national team remains on the bench, with the Anadolu/GettyImages report confirming his lack of significant action.

Future options and contract considerations

With his contract set to run until the summer of 2027, speculation surrounds whether Gündogan will stay at Gala to the end or seek an exit in the winter window. The ongoing bench role fuels doubts about his contribution to the Istanbul side in the coming months.