Ilkay Gundogan labels current Manchester City crop 'special' and compares them to Barcelona: 'Maybe the most similar team would be Barca at their best under Pep Guardiola'

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Ilkay Gundogan can sense something 'special' happening at Manchester City and has likened his side to Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Barcelona team. 

The midfielder got a first-hand experience of Guardiola's dominant Bayern Munich side for three years during his stint at Borussia Dortmund. 

And while Gundogan, 27, can spot some similarities between City and Pep's acclaimed Bayern, he believes those familiar hallmarks sprouting out at the Etihad remind him more of another famous team.

Ilkay Gundogan compared Manchester City side to Barcelona at their best with Pep Guardiola

The German international feels Guardiola has set them up to play a certain way that is comparable to the destructive Barca side that dominated Spain and Europe during the four glittering years Pep spent at the Nou Camp.

Gundogan said: 'The way we play, the way we dominate opponents, it feels special and feels like it could be a very special season. The domination is like Bayern, yes, but it's a different kind of game.

'The way we build up, with the quick short passes, feels a bit different from ­Bayern for me, or Real Madrid.

Barca were extremely successful during Guardiola's four-year spell at the Nou Camp

'Maybe the most similar team would be Barcelona at their best with Pep.

'I wouldn't say we are at their best yet but they were one of the best because of the way they dominated teams — and we are doing so now. I'm not sure if we are there yet. We still need to prove that in every game, every competition. We need to prove that with trophies.'

City didn't win a single trophy last season but they look poised to put that right after a stunning string results has seen them earn many plaudits, with some anointing them Premier League champions already.

They are unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions this season, racking up 14 wins and are already through to the Champions League last 16 after beating Napoli 4-2 on Wednesday.

For the first time since his arrival last summer, City look like a Guardiola side. The amount of goals they have scored recently highlights that - 13 in their last three Premier League games.

And Gundogan believes something similarly as special is beginning to take shape at the Etihad

City sit on top of the league and are already establishing some distance between themselves and second-placed Manchester United - five points to be exact. 

The fit-again Gundogan played a key part in their most recent victory in Naples — almost certainly their greatest performance on the road in Europe.

Sergio Aguero also broke City's all-time scoring record with his 178th goal for the club in the same game. 

Things are going very swimmingly for Guardiola and City right now but whether they can turn their early-season form into silverware come May remains to be seen.

Gundogan feels the squad is equipped to win trophies this season, but whatever happens has promised fans for a thrill ride until the very end. 

'Look at the way we play, the way we keep the ball, pass the ball, those short, quick passes, especially in midfield.

'We attack with a lot of players, create a lot of chances and score a lot of goals, we are going in the right way. This makes it fun for everyone, for us and for the supporters. People like to watch us.'

'We have a good and deep squad and I feel every single player is able to hold it on a good level. We feel ready.'