---
title: "Manchester City: Fans explain how Ilkay Gundogan’s absence drove great Burnley win"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-fans-explain-how-ilkay-gundogans-absence-drove-great-burnley-win/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Manchester City Football Club"
published: "2019-12-04T21:40:10Z"
modified: "2019-12-04T21:40:10Z"
---

# Manchester City: Fans explain how Ilkay Gundogan’s absence drove great Burnley win

**After dismantling Burnley in style with a [4-1 win at Turf Moor](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrNNRgRvoPo) on Tuesday evening, a match where Rodri, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne shone in a commanding midfield display, supporters have explained how Ilkay Gundogan’s absence may have helped them and how he shouldn’t be one of the first names on the team sheet.**

Pep Guardiola’s side recovered from their [2-2 draw at St. James’ Park](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50526605) just in time for a blockbuster Manchester derby clash at the Etihad this weekend – breezing past Sean Dyche’s Burnley thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus (2), Rodri and Riyad Mahrez on an evening to remember.

\[freshpress-poll id=”260895″\]

Rodri, in particular, [bossed the midfield](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-city-player-ratings-burnley-17358676) with a presence that has arguably been missing since Fernandinho switched to centre-half – with Sky Blues fans now wanting that same commanding performance week in, week out.

However, given Gundogan’s [consistent inclusion](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/77464/History/Ilkay-G%C3%BCndogan) on the team sheet lately, it will involve reducing the German to a spot on the bench – but supporters are all for it.

Here’s what they had to say on Twitter.

> Imagine our shock when gundogan doesn’t play we look solid in midfield…
>
> — Jason peachey (@jasonpeachey1) [December 3, 2019](https://twitter.com/jasonpeachey1/status/1201970716490522625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Pep should stop playing Gundogan as DH… simple
>
> — Paul Diyaolu (@DiyaoluPaul) [December 3, 2019](https://twitter.com/DiyaoluPaul/status/1201970769879818240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Rodri over gundo
>
> — Hellen’s Rose (@D\_B\_C\_M) [December 4, 2019](https://twitter.com/D_B_C_M/status/1202033463622356994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Because gundo is suspended? 🤣
>
> — Ben Green (@slipersox) [December 3, 2019](https://twitter.com/slipersox/status/1201972458955264001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> No Gundogan and suddenly City look far more fluent. [#JustSaying](https://twitter.com/hashtag/JustSaying?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Darrin O’Toole (@darrinotoole) [December 3, 2019](https://twitter.com/darrinotoole/status/1201972242529304582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Rodeo better than Gundogan. Mahrez hinders us. Much prefer Bernardo. Look better than we have for weeks.
>
> — Ian T (@thompsonir) [December 3, 2019](https://twitter.com/thompsonir/status/1201970896786853894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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