Serhou Guirassy has hit the bottom working at Borussia Dortmund this season, however the formidable Guinea striker is clearly not the sort to relaxation on his laurels. He sat down with bundesliga.com to debate the Matchday 16 conflict with Bayer Leverkusen, his summer season change from VfB Stuttgart, his endless thirst for enchancment and far more…
bundesliga.com: What are you trying ahead to within the conflict towards Leverkusen?
Serhou Guirassy: “To begin with, they’re probably the greatest groups within the league. We noticed how incredible they had been final season. It is a massive sport, and we’re good at massive video games. We will not wait to be there.”
bundesliga.com: What do you consider your reverse quantity at Leverkusen, Patrik Schick?
Guirassy: “He is an ideal striker, with out query. He is all the time scoring, and it is going to be our job to cease him.”
bundesliga.com: Are you aware who has arrange most of your targets?
Guirassy: “All targets are the product of our teamwork, however relating to assists, I’d say it was most likely Jamie [Gittens].”
bundesliga.com: Appropriate! What do you consider the progress he has made?
Guirassy: “He is a younger, proficient participant, and he is aware of it. Given his younger age, he nonetheless must be taught when precisely to dribble and when to go, however he is getting higher and higher.”
Watch: Guirassy & Gittens – Dortmund’s double G-Pressure
bundesliga.com: Are you able to bear in mind what you felt while you scored your first targets at Sign Iduna Park?
Guirassy: “It was a particular second to attain my first targets at house. But it surely’s extra necessary to me to win video games as a staff.”
bundesliga.com: It received loud, did not it?
Guirassy: “Completely. We have now the perfect supporters in Germany. It is all the time a pleasure to play there.”
Watch: All of Guirassy’s Bundesliga targets for Dortmund
bundesliga.com: You’re at the moment sixth within the league. What wants to enhance?
Guirassy: “All the pieces may be improved, particularly relating to our collective play. We have made some progress within the final video games, however we now have to maintain enhancing this 12 months and win as many video games as we are able to.”
bundesliga.com: The win in Wolfsburg was necessary, wasn’t it?
Guirassy: “Essential, because it was our final sport earlier than the winter break. We had been in a position to chill out, and now we’re able to preserve going.”
bundesliga.com: Are you able to describe the distinction in enjoying model between Stuttgart and Dortmund, and the way your function has modified?
Guirassy: “It is fairly easy. At Stuttgart, we centered on possession. Right here at Dortmund, possession can be one in all our strengths, however we assault in a a lot faster means, which explains why we typically do not appear to have the ball beneath management. It is a mixture of possession and fast assaults.”
Watch: All 28 of Guirassy’s targets for Stuttgart final season
bundesliga.com: What are your targets for the remainder of the season?
Guirassy: “We’re too low within the league in the meanwhile. We wish to qualify for the Champions League, as a result of that is the place Dortmund belongs. That is our frequent objective, which is extra necessary than any of our particular person ambitions: to win as a staff, and end as excessive as doable within the league.”
bundesliga.com: Harry Kane is once more on the prime of the scorers chart. Is it doable to catch him?
Guirassy: “He’s reachable, however he’s a incredible striker, as everybody is aware of. As I mentioned, the staff’s success is what issues most; and my objective is to assist the staff succeed.”
bundesliga.com: Is there a objective of yours or a sport that has been the spotlight of your profession thus far?
Guirassy: “Laborious to inform, however that may most likely be my objective for Guinea towards Congo, not so way back.”
bundesliga.com: Do you’re feeling like you will have turn into an envoy for Guinea?
Guirassy: “I consider I’m an instance for Guineans, particularly for the youth. Youngsters look as much as skilled athletes, and we take pleasure in placing a smile on their faces with the nationwide staff.”
bundesliga.com: Does that make you proud?
Guirassy: “Completely. There is no such thing as a higher honour than being seen as an envoy on your nation.”
bundesliga.com: What does it imply to you to have been nominated by CAF as Participant of the 12 months?
Guirassy: “It exhibits that my exhausting work is paying off, despite the fact that I’d have most well-liked to win the Africa Cup of Nations. I’ll preserve working for that.”
Serhou Guirassy has scored 9 targets in 22 appearances for Guinea since his worldwide debut on 25 March, 2022. – IMAGO/Kim Value
bundesliga.com: What do you see as your greatest strengths?
Guirassy: “I am fairly sturdy with my again to objective, however I additionally wish to go deep contained in the opponents’ defence. With a view to rating, a striker must run so much and provides their all bodily. It is necessary to have these qualities, however I consider I can do even higher.”
bundesliga.com: It appears your sport is not only about scoring, but in addition enjoying nicely as a staff, is not it?
Guirassy: “I clearly love scoring targets, however I additionally wish to take part within the staff’s build-up play. I attempt to play like Karim Benzema; we now have the same model.”
bundesliga.com: And also you’re excellent together with your head, aren’t you?
Guirassy: “Earlier in my profession, I wasn’t that sturdy with headers. However I labored on it, and I have been scoring extra that means lately. It is necessary to have the ability to rating in a number of methods.”