Dortmund’s Guirassy ‘a step further’ to featuring in Bayern clash, says Sahin

Borussia Dortmund boss Nuri Sahin is hopeful striker Serhou Guirassy will be ready to play a bigger role against Bayern Munich after returning from a short illness.

Guirassy battled a virus for a few days before returning as a substitute against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday, scoring in the 3-0 win.

He has scored six times in the Bundesliga this season, a total surpassed only by Jonathan Burkardt, Tim Kleindienst (both seven), Omar Marmoush (11) and Harry Kane (14).

Guirassy's return will be a huge boost for Dortmund, who will be looking to maintain their unbeaten top-flight record at home this season, having won all six games so far.

Asked whether Guirassy will start in the crucial Bundesliga match against leaders Bayern, Sahin said: “We expect him to be a step further.”

“It's clear that he is a very important player for us. A player like him can change the entire structure of a game.

“He has handled his substitute role in Zagreb well after his illness,” the Dortmund boss added.

Through Europe for Borussia! pic.twitter.com/8555BmzZMA

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) November 28, 2024

This Saturday's meeting will be the 136th top-flight match between the two sides, making it the most controversial match in German professional football.

Bayern have suffered more defeats to Dortmund than any other team in all competitions (33, most recently 2-0 at home in March).

However, Dortmund have also suffered more losses against Bayern than anyone else (67).

“It's the biggest game in Germany, the one that gets the most attention and I think it will be the biggest game for a long time,” Sahin said.

“It's special to be in this role for such a game.”

Bayern have won their last five Bundesliga games without conceding a goal and can equal their six-game winning run under Pep Guardiola in 2014 if they win without conceding against Dortmund.

“Bayern defends high and that creates space at the back, but they keep the opponents at a distance,” said the Dortmund coach.

“There will be spaces where we can play, but they haven't conceded a goal in some games yet.”

“We have the expectation to win at home. There is no reason not to have that expectation with six wins from six home games. But the fact is that Bayern are ahead on points and it is an opportunity for us to close the gap.”