Serhou Guirassy has been missing from VfB Stuttgart for what feels like forever. Nevertheless, the striker has been requested by the Guinean national team for the coming week. Those responsible at the Bundesliga club would, however, like to avoid an international trip by the attacker.
Serhou Guirassy (left) would like to return as soon as possible – and doesn’t like to see him on an international trip with Guinea: VfB coach Bruno Labbadia
IMAGO/sport photo pack
At the weekend, VfB Stuttgart will play VfL Wolfsburg (Saturday, 3.30 p.m., LIVE! at kicker), followed immediately by the last international break of the season. “I always find them good in the first half of the season,” explains Bruno Labbadia, who likes to use the breaks in the autumn of the season to tweak certain adjustments again. “Now I’d rather keep the rhythm of the game,” said the 57-year-old, who is also fighting for injured striker Serhou Guirassy.
The national team of Guinea has requested the attacker. Although he has been unable to play for weeks. “There is a request,” confirms Labbadia, who makes the attitude of the Swabians clear. “We have corresponding correspondence. That cannot be implemented from our side.” Guirassy, who tore his adductors in the 2-0 loss to Werder Bremen on Matchday 19, has since been busy with the traditional club’s rehabilitation department instead of opposing defenders.
His return is eagerly awaited.
“We will use the time”
Even though the 27-year-old has meanwhile stepped onto the training turf in running shoes, a lot is missing before he returns to the game. “He hasn’t trained a single day with the team. It doesn’t make any sense from our side. We’re in lively exchanges, including the doctors,” explains Labbadia, who hopes Guinea’s officials will understand. “We assume that he can stay here.”
It is impossible to say how long the 1.87 m tall man will need before he can start chasing goals again. “He has a very sensitive injury. We try to bring him up every day, try to test what works and what doesn’t.” There is hope behind closed doors that the 27-year-old could at least be back in the VfB squad after the international break. But nothing can definitely be predicted. “Serhou is making progress but it would be wrong to say he’s back after the break.” There are too many uncertainties. “You don’t know how well the start of training works.”
The squad of VfB Stuttgart at a glance
While others like Wataru Endo, Hiroki Ito (both from Japan), Borna Sosa (Croatia) and Konstantinos Mavropanos (Greece) are likely to go on a business trip at home, Labbadia wants to use the coming week to further develop the team. “We will use the time, we have different plans,” says the ex-national player.
In addition to training, this includes a visit to the cancer aftercare clinic in Tannheim – and a test match. On Friday in a week’s time VfB welcomes 1. FC Heidenheim. “So that those who played a little less get playing time.” Depending on the further development of his state of health, Guirassy also belongs to them.
