Despite fluctuating form and conspicuous behavior, BVB coach Kovac continues to rely on striker Serhou Guirassy – and explains why he is not withdrawing his trust in him.

BVB striker Serhou Guirassy retains his special status with Niko Kovac. Ahead of the next highlight clash with 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 striker in its ranks,” said Kovac ahead of Tuesday’s round of 16 match (9 p.m./ARD and Sky).

There are several reasons for rotating the strikers. The 29-year-old Guinean has not been scoring as reliably lately, and his form has not exactly been positive. And the alternative, Fábio Silva, is hungry for more playing time – and not just since he set up Karim Adeyemi’s decisive second goal in Dortmund’s 2-1 win at Leverkusen in the league on Saturday. “He has certainly recommended himself,” Kovac said of the Portuguese newcomer. And then there are certain peculiarities in Guirassy’s behavior that are generally not well received in a team sport. On Saturday in Leverkusen, they culminated in an irritating display by Guirassy when he was understandably substituted after just over an hour.

The striker trudged past Kovac without saying a word, refused the usual handshake, and threw his gloves away. “He knows he didn’t react properly. But he also came to me personally 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 overreacting.”

I have 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.

Niko Kovac

This wasn’t the first time that the most successful Champions League striker of the previous season had made such an egoistic appearance. In the 4-4 draw with Juventus Turin in the Champions League in mid-September, the 29-year-old got into a childish-seeming dispute with Ramy Bensebaini over the execution of a penalty kick and subsequently struggled with physical problems. Guirassy’s form was declining, but Kovac continued to play him. “I think the coach has been incredibly positive with him in recent weeks and has given him confidence,” said Kehl. Kovac himself said: “I have always supported him and continue to support him. 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 European Champions League in a 4-0 win over Villarreal. On Saturday, he followed that up with another – to put it positively – unfortunate performance, including some irritating behavior when he was substituted.

Kovac, however, takes such escapades by his striker, whom he likes to refer to as his “life insurance,” with humor. “Strikers and goalkeepers simply need that little bit extra,” said the BVB head coach.

In a similar case, Adeyemi was criticized more harshly. His leniency may seem honorable, but it also carries a great risk. In an environment as nervous as that at BVB, egos have explosive potential. Especially since Kovac reacted differently to Adeyemi a good month ago. “He needs to grow up,” Kovac had said about Adeyemi, among other things, and called for more team spirit. The national striker had reacted similarly to Guirassy when he was substituted against Cologne, throwing a bottle, among other things.