Ilkay Gundogan reveals the tactics behind his record-breaking opener in the FA Cup final

Ilkay Gundogan has provided an insight into the tactics behind his record-breaking FA Cup final opener against Man United.

The Man City captained notched a brace on Saturday as Pep Guardiola’s side defeated their rivals at Wembley to lift the FA Cup.

Victory also means the club are within one game of matching their neighbours’ record as the only English side to win the treble.

City took the initiative immediately on Saturday afternoon, with Gundogan netting after just 12 seconds, setting a record for the fastest final goal in the 154 year history of the competition in the process.

Gundogan’s opened smashed the previous record held by Louis Saha, who scored after just 25 seconds before Everton were defeated by Chelsea in 2009.

The German midfielder passed the ball all the way back to goalkeeper Stefan Ortega from kick-off to get the game started.

Ortega subsequently kicked long, with Erling Haaland beating Bruno Fernandes in the air to towards Kevin De Bruyne.

Victor Lindelof’s momentary hesitation before challenging De Bruyne in the air saw the ball bounce into the path of Gundogan, and the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder duly volleyed home to give the Premier League Champions the lead.

Speaking after the game, Gundogan revealed that the sequence had been practiced on the training ground, but he was surprised to see work so effectively in game.

‘Well obviously [the opening goal surprised me]. We know how we do, how we play, how we want to play at kick-off.

‘We aimed for that, to go long for Erling and then to get the second ball and try to attack quick.

‘I guess for the first time this season we’ve scored, the ball was just placed amazingly for me, and I just had to hit it.

‘It was quite a good strike and it went in, it was amazing.’

Man City skipper capped off a well-worked move to volley City into the lead after 12 seconds

Gundogan’s volley is the fastest final goal scored in the 153-year history of the competition 

Gundogan later netted a second as Pep Guardiola’s side lifted the trophy to keep their treble dreams alive

Speaking on BBC Sport, Alan Shearer noted the ‘route one’ approach from Guardiola’s side and heaped praise on Gundogan for his finish. 

‘So much for sexy football from Man City. Route one, get on the end of that Erling flick it on and see what you can get us and he does win that header.

‘What you also can see is Gundogan freeing there. Lindelof does well and wins that header there but oh my goodness me. The technique is just incredible.’

‘That is such a difficult skill, ball coming from that side, to hit it with your right foot and come onto it like that, incredible strike.’