Forced off in the 34th minute with a thigh problem in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Betis in the Champions League, Guinean striker Serhou Guirassy has heard his coach Niko Kovač describe it as a simple strain.
The scene is enough to cause concern. On Wednesday 4 November, Serhou Guirassy did not make it past the 34th minute of Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Real Betis in the Champions League. The Guinean international striker felt a pain in his thigh and gave way to Konstantinos Karetsas, an 18-year-old attacking midfielder who scored the goal that made it 2-1, according to Bundesliga.com.
The opening exchanges had already set the tone. According to Goal.com, the Guinean hit the post after slipping in the box in the 3rd minute, before trying to carry on. His exit leaves Dortmund with a question mark, just days before fixtures that matter for his club and for the Guinea national team.
Kovač plays it down
Coach Niko Kovač does not believe it is a serious blow. “He said he could feel his thigh, so we will have to see what the problem is. We don’t think it is anything more than a muscle strain, but he couldn’t continue,” he said, quoted by Bundesliga.com.
The coach added, this time to Goal.com: “Hopefully nothing is damaged.” The problem therefore remains to be identified, in his own words, and the club has not yet announced a timetable.
A scoring record that matters
The concern is understandable given the striker’s season. Guirassy has 8 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions, including 4 in 4 Champions League matches, according to Bundesliga.com. He had also scored in the 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
In the table, Dortmund and Bayern are separated only by goal difference before matchday 9, the same source reports. In that context, the availability of their striker matters to the club.
Elversberg, then Togo
Dortmund host Elversberg on Saturday 7 November in the Bundesliga, with a decision expected on Guirassy. The staff will have to choose between resting him and starting him.
Beyond the club, the national team is also affected. Guinea are holding a camp for the double header against Togo, and the state of the player’s thigh could determine whether he is involved.