Niko Kovac Reflects on Serhou Guirassy’s Resurgence

omidbasir- Borussia Dortmund’s head coach Niko Kovac has shared his insights on Serhou Guirassy’s resurgence in form. After experiencing several significant dips in performance this season, the Guinean international has notably returned to scoring, netting five goals in his last three Bundesliga matches. However, the 29-year-old still faces ongoing challenges.

The relationship between Kovac and his leading striker has had its ups and downs throughout the season, with Guirassy being benched on multiple occasions. Following a streak of seven Bundesliga matches without a goal, Kovac opted to bench him during two consecutive league fixtures at the start of the new calendar year, casting doubt on Guirassy’s future.

In these matches against Werder Bremen and FC St. Pauli, Guirassy was replaced by Fabio Silva. Notably, he did manage to score after coming off the bench against Werder Bremen. Since being reinstated, Guirassy has demonstrated his value by scoring in four straight league games, reclaiming his position as Borussia Dortmund’s leading goalscorer, surpassing Maximilian Beier.

“It is crucial to provide a striker with adequate support,” Kovac stated in the post-match press conference after a convincing Bundesliga victory over Mainz. “Fabio Silva was performing exceptionally well. Guirassy’s response has been remarkable. The team supports him, and in turn, he supports the team. We rely on his goals, as they enhance our chances of winning.

Although Guirassy technically scored twice in the recent match, much of the credit went to BVB’s assist maestro, Julian Ryerson. Additionally, Guirassy had previously scored a brace in a league victory over Heidenheim, though he missed a penalty in that match. This indicates an ongoing sense of hesitation in his demeanor, as he still appears to lack full confidence.

With five goals in his last three Bundesliga matches, Guirassy has a season total of 11 goals and three assists from 21 league appearances, placing him third in the Bundesliga scoring race behind Bayern Munich stars Harry Kane and Luis Diaz. Across all competitions, he has recorded an impressive 15 goals and six assists this season.

However, Guirassy has struggled from the penalty spot, missing three times—twice in the Bundesliga and once in the Champions League—marking a difficult year for the 26-time capped West African international. Last season, he scored 35 goals across all competitions for Dortmund, and during his remarkable 2023/24 campaign with Stuttgart, he found the net 28 times in the league.

It seems unlikely that he will replicate such figures this year.