Is Guirassy heading for the bench?

Undisputed starter, Dortmund‘s savior in recent seasons, the best scorer in the Champions League in 2024 (along with Raphinha)….yes, Serhou Guirassy was all that. But the Guinea striker is in serious crisis, his biggest since moving to Dortmund from Stuttgart and the biggest question mark ahead of tonight‘s game with Bremen is will he be in the starting 11. This is the topic which was almost unimaginable just months ago, but this only shows you that football is quite unpredictable and that nobody in untouchable, not even in Borussia.

Coach Niko Kovač is too experienced to be involved in the gossips and certainly doesn‘t want to ‘kill‘ his striker‘s self-confidence. The Croat declined to answer will the Guinea striker start the game, but gave him his full confidence, despite the fact that Guirassy hasn‘t contributed to any goals in the last seven games.

"We won't be playing with eleven men for the entire January game, but will rotate the squad a few times. Guirassy is still our best striker. He's completely normal and always gives his all. I value him highly, I support and protect him, that's my job. I know what he's capable of, but I also know he wants to achieve more. We're missing five, six, seven goals that would really benefit us. These slumps happen, and we'll get through them together. We build on the positives and give him pointers on what he can improve. We do this daily when things were going well, and we do it now when things aren't going so well" said Kovač.

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But why is Guirassy struggling? Borussia boss has an explanation.

“After being our top scorer last season, I can see that he's currently always having to play against two players, getting sandwiched – and then perhaps also by the opposing defensive midfielder. He simply draws a lot of attention to himself, so the others need to create more space for him" explained Kovač.

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Only he knows weather Guirassy will start tonight or he will give chance to Fabio Silva, whom he praised after a disappointing draw with Frankfurt (3-3). Even if Guinea striker doesn‘t start, he will still be the main person in the team, not only due his goalscoring abilities. Guirassy‘s contract runs in 2028 but this May the release clause will be smaller and with his current form, his value dropped from 45 to 40 million euros. Kovač needs to find a way to get him back into his goalscoring mode as his price must be upped by June, in case there is a good offer.

BUNDESLIGA - MATCHDAY 17

Tuesday

20.30: (1.85) Stuttgart (4.20) Eintr.Frankfurt (4.00)

22.30: (1.40) Dortmund (5.30) Werder (8.00)

22.30: (3.70) Hamburger (3.65) Leverkusen (2.05)

22.30: (1.77) Mainz (3.75) Heidenheim (4.55)

Wednesday

20.30: (1.95) Wolfsburg (3.60) St.Pauli (4.20)

22.30: (1.90) Hoffenheim (4.00) M' gladbach (3.70)

22.30: (10.0) Koln (7.50) Bayern (1.25)

22:30: (1.80) RB Leipzig (4.15) Freiburg (4.30)

Thursday

22.30: (2.60) Augsburg (3.25) Union Berlin (2.95) https://www.mozzartbet.co.ke/en#/match/9437758

* odds are subject to change