Despite inconsistent form and controversial behavior, BVB coach Kovac continues to rely on striker Serhou Guirassy – and explains why he hasn’t lost faith in him.

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

“I stand by my decision: I will support him. Because having a top scorer in your ranks—that’s what every top team needs,” 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 upswing. And the alternative, Fábio Silva, is hungry 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 certainly made a case for himself,” Kovac said of the Portuguese newcomer.

And then there are certain behavioral quirks of Guirassy’s 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 after just over an hour.

The striker stomped past Kovac without a word, refused the customary handshake, and flung his gloves aside. “He knows he didn’t react properly. But he also came to me personally 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 overanalyzing 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 most successful Champions League goalscorer from last season had made such an egotistical display. During the 4-4 draw in the Champions League at Juventus Turin in mid-September, the 29-year-old got into a childish-seeming dispute with Ramy Bensebaini over who would take a penalty and subsequently struggled with physical issues. Guirassy’s form was on the decline, yet Kovac kept playing him time and again.

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

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

Kovac, however, takes such antics from his striker—whom he often refers to as his “life insurance”—in stride. “Strikers and goalkeepers simply need that certain something,” said the BVB head coach.

In a similar case involving Adeyemi, the criticism was much harsher. While his leniency may seem honorable, it also carries a significant risk. In an environment as tense as BVB’s, selfish behavior has the potential to be explosive. Especially since Kovac reacted differently toward Adeyemi just over a month ago. “He needs to grow up,” Kovac had said about Adeyemi at the time, 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.