by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- For Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, something still felt incomplete after his team's dominant 3-0 win in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs.

Wearing a bright smile, the 28-year-old Guinean international sought out Sporting's Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres. His grin widened as the two exchanged jerseys exactly as Guirassy had hoped.

In a lighthearted moment, he turned the trophy inside out and slipped into his prized new shirt, celebrating a personal victory beyond the scoreboard.

Despite his stellar performance, which propelled him to the top of the tournament's goal-scoring list, Guirassy seemed more pleased with his shirt swap than discussing his achievement.

While Dortmund has faced criticism for its inconsistent Bundesliga campaign, the team has excelled on the international stage. Guirassy's goal tally now stands at 10 in nine matches, surpassing former Dortmund greats Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland. Both Lewandowski and Haaland recorded 10 goals and two assists during their respective stints, while Guirassy has already notched 10 goals and three assists.

His standout display earned him the "Player of the Match" award and praise from head coach Niko Kovac.

"He was everywhere," Kovac said after securing his first victory in charge of Dortmund. "This could give us a push for the coming weeks." With the return leg at home next Wednesday, Dortmund is well-positioned to advance to the round of 16.

If they progress, the prospect of facing Aston Villa or Lille in the next round could further boost their confidence.

Guirassy set the tone early against Sporting, opening the scoring with a powerful header. His relentless energy has been a key factor for Dortmund, and Kovac acknowledged his effort.

"He's a shining example for others, always giving his last ounce of energy on the pitch," Kovac said. "There are moments when I think about taking him off in the final minutes, but then I don't, because he's still on fire."

Dortmund will need that energy to rebound in the Bundesliga, where they have slipped to 11th place.

"I'm happy with the team's spirit," Kovac added, also praising new midfield signing Daniel Svensson, who had a strong debut.

Sporting director Sebastian Kehl highlighted Guirassy's impact beyond scoring.

"He plays a vital role in our game, not just as a goal-scorer but also as a link-up player and ball-winner," Kehl said. Guirassy also provided the assist for Dortmund's second goal, scored by former Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross.

"This could be a fresh start for us," Kovac said. "But we know we need to keep proving ourselves."

As for Guirassy, he called the night an important step forward. Whether he was referring to his goal tally or his jersey collection, fans will soon find out when the Champions League anthem plays again next week. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)