Despite inconsistent form and attention-grabbing behavior, BVB coach Kovac continues to rely on striker Serhou Guirassy — and explains why he isn’t losing faith in him.

BVB striker Serhou Guirassy retains his special status with Niko Kovac. Ahead of the next high-profile matchup against former champions Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB Cup, Borussia Dortmund’s coach has no intention of giving his striker a creative break.

“I stand by my decision: I will support him. Because every top team needs a top goal-scorer in its ranks,” said Kovac ahead of Tuesday’s round of 16 match (9:00 p.m./ARD and Sky).

There are several reasons for rotating the forward line. The 29-year-old Guinean hasn’t been scoring as reliably lately, and his form hasn’t exactly been on the rise. And his alternative, Fábio Silva, is eager for more playing time—and not just since his assist on the decisive second BVB goal by Karim Adeyemi in Saturday’s 2-1 league win in Leverkusen. “He’s certainly made a case for himself,” Kovac said of the Portuguese newcomer.

And then there are certain behavioral issues with Guirassy that generally don’t go over well in a team sport. On Saturday in Leverkusen, they culminated in an irritating display by Guirassy following his understandable substitution just over an hour into the game.

The striker stormed past Kovac without a word, refused the customary handshake, and flung his gloves aside. “He knows he didn’t react appropriately. But he also came to me on his own initiative and apologized,” reported the BVB coach, for whom the matter was already settled on Saturday after the game. Sports director Sebastian Kehl also said: “We’re not making a big deal out of this.”

I’ve always supported him and will continue to do so. I know how important he is to us. But he also knows how important I am to him

Niko Kovac

This wasn’t the first time the previous season’s most successful Champions League goal-scorer had displayed such an egotistical outburst. During the 4-4 draw against Juventus Turin in the Champions League in mid-September, the 29-year-old got into a childish-seeming dispute with Ramy Bensebaini over who would take a penalty kick and subsequently struggled with physical issues. Guirassy’s form had been on the decline, yet Kovac kept starting him.

“I think the coach has been incredibly positive toward him in recent weeks and has shown him confidence,” said Kehl. Kovac himself remarked: “I’ve always supported him and will continue to do so. I know how important he is to us. But he also knows how important I am to him.”

The previous week, Guirassy repaid that trust with two goals in the Champions League during the 4-0 win over Villarreal. On Saturday, however, he had another—to put it positively—unfortunate performance, complete with irritating behavior when he was substituted.

Kovac, however, takes such antics from his striker—whom he sometimes refers to as his “life insurance”—with a sense of humor. “Strikers and goalies alike just need that little something extra,” said the BVB head coach.

In a similar incident involving Adeyemi, the criticism was much harsher. While his leniency may seem honorable, it also carries a great risk. In an environment as high-pressure as BVB’s, selfish behavior has the potential to be explosive. Especially since Kovac had reacted differently toward Adeyemi just over a month ago. “He needs to grow up,” Kovac had said at the time about Adeyemi, among other things, and called for more team spirit. The national team striker had reacted similarly to Guirassy when he was substituted against Cologne, throwing a bottle, among other things.