Bundesliga
VfB “head of success”: Guirassy continues to hunt for records
Successful Stuttgart duo: VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß (left) and striker Serhou Guirassy. photo
© Christoph Schmidt/dpa
Nobody in the history of the Bundesliga has scored 13 goals after seven match days. Things have changed since Saturday. Serhou Guirassy and VfB Stuttgart continue to cause a sensation.
Serhou Guirassy didn’t want to give up the game ball after his next record. With a broad smile and the ball under his arm, he let himself be coached after his next goal gala Sebastian Hoeneß and his teammates celebrate at VfB Stuttgart.
In the 3-1 (0-1) win against VfL Wolfsburg, the attacker scored a hat trick within 15 minutes and now has 13 goals this season, the next record in the Bundesliga. Never before has a player scored as many goals as Guirassy after seven matchdays – not even Gerd Müller and Robert Lewandowski managed that.
“Inimitable completion”
“He finished in an inimitable way again. It’s enormous and I’m happy for him,” said Hoeneß. “He’s a very decent, normal guy who always gets things right.”
Before the game against Lower Saxony, all eyes were on the duel between Guirassy and VfL attacker Jonas Wind. The points remained with VfB and Guirassy impressively won the meeting between the top scorers, as the Dane did not come into the game at all and still has seven goals.
The hype surrounding the 27-year-old, who was the first VfB professional since former international Cacau to score a flawless hat trick in February 2010, will not let up. “He is the great head of success,” said Hoeneß. “But there is no danger or concern that he will take off or get any airs.”
However, there is certainly a risk that competitors will come knocking to sign Guirassy. If the Guinea national player continues his form, he would be a bargain thanks to the exit clause of 20 million euros that has been rumored in the media. “We are in regular contact with his advisor – regardless of the goals. If there are things we need to know, we inform each other,” said Stuttgart’s sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth.
Don’t like being in the spotlight
Guirassy doesn’t like to be in the spotlight, preferring to let his performances do the talking. He feels right at home with the Swabians. “I have so much fun playing here,” he said on Sky television. “I love Stuttgart, it’s just a good club, a beautiful city.”
A city that will be home to another European Cup participant in the near future? “I think it’s legitimate that these questions are asked,” said Hoeneß. “But we have now got 18 points for a worry-free season and we would do well to continue in the same way.”
The word humility has been somewhat overused on the Neckar after the highs so far. Wohlgemuth also noticed this. It’s about the balance between euphoria and realism. After all, the Swabians only narrowly avoided relegation in the last two seasons. “It’s really important that we stay humble,” said the sports director. “It’s not about us showing off our new modesty every week, but rather this is our stylistic device to maintain the tension. So far we’ve succeeded quite well.”
The important key figure alongside all the other in-form players, such as Chris Führich, who was called up to the national team for the first time, is and remains Guirassy. He has also internalized the way of thinking of those responsible: “We have to carry on as before, remain as humble as we are now and work hard.” The reward is reflected in the success.