Dortmund coach Niko Kovac provides injury update on Serhou Guirassy

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac has provided an injury update on Guinea international Serhou Guirassy after being forced off in the sides Champions League showdown against Real Betis.

The enterprising forward was substituted in the 34th minute after experiencing discomfort in his thigh, as his outfit cruised to a 2-1 home win over their opponent on wednedsay.

Guirassy appeared to pick up the problem in the third minute following an awkward incident inside the penalty area. The 30-year-old attempted to connect with a cross from Julian Ryerson but narrowly missed the delivery before colliding with the near post.

Although he initially continued playing, the striker gradually began showing signs of discomfort. Just before the half-hour mark, he was seen clutching his thigh and eventually indicated that he could not continue.

Kovac initially appeared reluctant to make an immediate substitution, with Konstantinos Karetsas already preparing to enter the game. However, after discussions on the touchline and a brief attempt by Guirassy to continue, the decision was made to withdraw him as a precaution.

Speaking after the match, Kovac offered a cautiously optimistic assessment of the striker’s condition, suggesting that the problem might not be serious.

“He felt something in his thigh. Now we have to see what it is and whether it’s more than perhaps a strain, which I don’t actually think it is,” Kovac told DAZN.

The Dortmund manager explained that the club did not want to take unnecessary risks with the forward, particularly with important fixtures approaching.

Guirassy’s availability for Saturday’s Bundesliga encounter against SV Elversberg remains uncertain, although Dortmund are hopeful that he will recover quickly.

“If he isn’t fit for Saturday, we obviously hope he’ll be back after the international break,” Kovac added.

A lengthy absence would represent a significant setback for Dortmund, considering Guirassy’s importance to their attacking setup this season.

The former VfB Stuttgart striker has scored eight goals and provided two assists in 14 competitive appearances for the German club this season. His contribution has been particularly impressive in the Champions League, where he has found the back of the net four times in the opening three matchdays.

His injury also adds to Dortmund’s growing fitness concerns, with several players already experiencing injury problems during the campaign. Konstantinos Karetsas, Giannis Konstantelias and defender Filippo Mane are among those who have suffered setbacks, while midfielder Marcel Sabitzer missed Wednesday’s encounter against Betis because of illness.

Despite losing their leading striker, Dortmund managed to secure all three points against the Spanish side, with Karetsas stepping up to deliver a decisive performance.

Fabio Silva opened the scoring in the 49th minute before Aitor Ruibal restored parity for Betis in the 67th minute. Karetsas eventually settled the contest with a 72nd-minute winner to seal a 2-1 victory for the Bundesliga outfit.

Dortmund have now collected nine points from their first four Champions League matches, but their immediate concern will be the outcome of Guirassy’s medical assessment and whether the striker faces a spell on the sidelines.