Stuttgart striker Guirassi: “Things are just cruel for him now”

WITHEru Ghirasi is in the so-called race this season. After five games in the Bundesliga, the Stuttgart striker has already scored ten goals, giving the Swabians, who were nearly relegated last season, to an almost perfect start to the season. In Friday night’s 3-1 home win over newly promoted Darmstadt 98, Ghirasi “showed his full range again,” coach Sebastian Hoeneß said after his protégé’s assist and two goals.

The 27-year-old himself recently said he was “in the shape of my life.” He was far from this for a long time. Especially during his first appearance in the Bundesliga, when he was temporarily considered a symbol of the sporting crisis in 1. FC Cologne. Once the crown jewel of the storm, Guirasi played only 45 games and scored nine goals in the Cathedral City due to injuries. In an away match at his old place of work next Saturday (15:30 live on FAZ for the Bundesliga and on Sky), the league’s current top scorer wants to build momentum with him and show that he can play better. Now.

After a spell in Cologne, he moved to France in 2019 and then returned to Germany and VfB after stints at Amiens and Stade Rennes. He missed six games in the preseason with an adductor injury. But Guirassi is now in excellent form and is an integral part of Stuttgart’s attacking game.

“Everything he does works.”

This is highlighted by his record hunt: with two goals against Darmstadt, Guirassi equaled the starting record set by former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski, who also scored ten goals in five games in the 2020/21 season. The Guinea national team striker is causing headaches for his opponents. “Things are just brutal for him at the moment,” said Darmstadt player Klaus Gjasula approvingly. “Everything he does works. He drops the ball with his heel and this creates a good scoring opportunity. He kicks the ball into the corner or throws the ball over the goalkeeper, and that obviously hurts the defender.”

Ghirasi was already linked with other clubs during the summer holidays, although VfB only exercised the purchase option included in the loan agreement at the end of May. His services will also attract other interested parties. “I’m not worried about winter, it’s too far away,” coach Hoeneß said of the upcoming period of change. “I think he feels very comfortable now and wants to do something with us. And I hope it stays that way.”

For him and sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth, it is primarily important to highlight the team’s overall performance after four wins in five league matches. Those in charge don’t want to be blinded by a strong start. “We can no longer deny the good start,” Wohlgemuth said. “But the fact remains that we have the situation under control and that everyone remains in place. There are 29 game days left before the game. We’re obviously holding our own.” The running of Guirassi, who jumped up and down with his teammates in front of the fans on Friday, doesn’t change that.