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 part against Bayern Munich after his return from a brief illness.

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

He has scored six times in the Bundesliga this season, a total only bettered 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 are aiming to maintain their unbeaten top-flight record at home this term, having won all six of their matches so far.

Asked whether Guirassy will start in the crunch Bundesliga clash against leaders Bayern, Sahin said: “We expect that he will be a step further.”

“Obviously, he is a very important player for us. A player like him can change a game’s entire structure.

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

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This Saturday’s meeting will be the 136th top-flight clash between the two sides, making this the most contested fixture in German professional football.

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

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

“It is the biggest game in Germany, the one that gets the most exposure and I think it will be the biggest for quite some time,” said Sahin.

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

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

“Bayern defend high and that creates spaces at the back but they keep the opponents away,” the Dortmund coach said.

“There will be spaces for us to play in but they have not conceded a goal in some games now.”

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