Serhou Guirassy gets needed break as Dortmund coach Niko Kovac manages workload

Coach Niko Kovač delivered on his promise to give Serhou Guirassy a break, using the cup match against Eintracht Frankfurt to rest the star striker.

With another Bundesliga clash looming Friday against struggling FC Augsburg, Kovac saw this as the right moment: “I have simply thought he would need a pause after so many matches. I knew today perhaps wasn’t perfect, Frankfurt is a strong team, but sometimes as a coach you have to take risks,” explained Kovac about his decision.

He added, “Actually, it wasn’t really a risk because Maxi Beier did a very good job.”

Guirassy, kept on the bench at first, entered later as a substitute and got a chance to recharge. As Kovac pointed out, “We managed for Serhou not to play 120 minutes today, but only 40 or 50. The next days we have Bundesliga, then Champions League, and after that a trip to HSV.”

Guirassy will likely return to the starting lineup for those crucial fixtures. “We must watch out and are responsible,” said the coach at the post-match conference, “Right now, everyone is healthy and it should stay that way.”

Guirassy’s workload is being carefully managed to ensure fitness and form in upcoming key matches.