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.
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."
Dwight Yorke challenges Soca Warriors to uphold standards and strive for excellence
Trinidad and Tobago’s Head coach, Dwight Yorke, has challenged local-based Soca Warriors players to embrace professionalism, maintain high standards, and push themselves to earn a spot in the team for upcoming fixtures.
Yorke’s message came at the conclusion of a seven-day live-in camp held at the Home of Football in Couva, capped by a 1-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) outfit Defence Force at the Larry Gomes Stadium recently.
Despite the win, Yorke acknowledged the team's uneven performance during the match, dominated largely by Defence Force. However, the former Manchester United star emphasized the importance of players applying the lessons learned during the camp once they return to their clubs.
“We expect discipline, dedication, and attitude, all of which I consider to be an image of me in many respects. ‘You are the national team, and you are the best players in the country,’ and that comes with a certain amount of responsibility,” Yorke said in a video released by the TTFA media.
Yorke, flanked by his assistants Derek King, Russell Latapy, England’s Neil Wood, and strength and conditioning coach Anthony Crea, urged players to set themselves apart by embodying the qualities of national footballers both on and off the field.
Furthermore, he advised his players not to merely reintegrate into their club teams but to stand out by demonstrating leadership, discipline, and a professional attitude.
“When you leave here and go back to represent your clubs, make sure that they know that you’re a national player, and the only way you do that is by setting standards. How you train, how you carry about yourself, being on time, being an example for all, being that difference-maker,” Yorke shared.
“We have eyes on the ground; we would know where you are. I’ve always said if you’re good, we will find you, so don’t give us any excuse to not be in this team. When we give you days off, make sure you use it to your advantage. Don’t go gallivanting everywhere...playing football with your mates,” he added.
With the Soca Warriors potentially set for encounters against Qatar and Saudi Arabia next month, ahead of crucial fixtures in the Concacaf Gold Cup preliminaries in March.
Beyond that, Yorke’s main objective is to qualify the Soca Warriors for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. They will resume qualifying action in June against St. Kitts & Nevis.
As such, Yorke made it clear that success hinges on a collective effort.
“You are in the system. Make sure and stay in the system, but that is down to you guys. We will do everything from an administration side, from the supporting team of the staff to make sure we provide you with all the ammunition,” he declared.
“I’ll fight for you guys as the leader, as the head coach. I will go out there and make sure we get what it takes and all the stuff that you need to make sure that you are looked after. It is part of my responsibility, but you have to give us something in return... it can’t be a one-sided deal,” Yorke noted.
Al-Nassr 2-0 Damac: Ronaldo scores twice as Pioli's side bounce back
Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a double as Al-Nassr defeated 10-man Damac 2-0 to stay five points behind Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Ittihad.
Stefano Pioli's side had suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Al-Qadsiah last week, but bounced back with a commanding win against Damac, who were unbeaten in three league matches.
Ronaldo netted his first goal from the penalty spot in the 17th minute after Otavio's header hit the arms of Damac centre-back Abdelkader Bedrane.
The away side's hopes of a comeback were then dashed when Bedrane stomped on Mohamed Simakan and the referee brought out the red card following a VAR check just 11 minutes into the second half.
The 39-year-old sealed the win in the 79th minute, slotting home a cut-back from left-back Nawaf Boushal for his ninth league goal of the season.
Al-Nassr are third in the table, level on 25 points with Al-Qadsiah behind them, while Damac are 11th with 14 points from 12 matches.
Leaders Al-Ittihad will be in action against Al-Ettifaq on Saturday, hoping to pull further ahead at the top.
Data Debrief: 915 goals and counting
Ronaldo's latest brace takes him to 915 career goals, of which 452 have come since he turned 30. It was also the first time he has scored more than once in the league this campaign.
The Portugal international scored 35 goals in 31 appearances for Al-Nassr in last season's SPL, and only Al-Hilal's Aleksandar Mitrovic (12 goals) has scored more than his nine this season.
Ronaldo has also now scored six goals from four matches against Damac in the Saudi top-flight.
Fonseca urges Milan to improve and find balance
Paulo Fonseca has urged Milan to find a balance between defence and attack after displaying a variety of weaknesses in their last two matches.
Milan were toothless but defensively sound in a dour 0-0 draw at home with Juventus last week, before having the opposite problem in a midweek 3-2 Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava.
After opening the scoring, the Italian side twice conceded and had a nervy finish to the game as their Slovakian opponents pushed hard for an equaliser.
Milan are already 10 points behind leaders Napoli in Serie A, though with a game in hand, and Fonseca is keen to find a solution to their problems when they face Empoli on Saturday.
"With Juve, we were more organised, with Slovan better in transition. It seems to me that we improve in something, then other problems arise," Fonseca told reporters.
"But it's not because you win that you have to think everything is fine by closing your eyes to the problems. I can't close my eyes. We talked about the problems.
"It's important to work on the problem. We won [against Slovan]. Is everything OK? No. When we work on the problem we had in the game, the team has a positive response."
Milan have managed just one win in their last four league games, but have failed to score in their last two Serie A games played at San Siro (D1 L1). They last went without a win in three home matches between February and April 2021 (a run of four).
A home match against Empoli, who Milan have won six of their last seven Serie A meetings with (D1), could help the Rossoneri narrow the gap to the top and build some momentum.
"It's not easy in Italy to be dominant, it's not easy against Empoli," Fonseca said.
"What we want is balance, to feel that the team creates chances by having defensive security. In Bratislava, after scoring 0-1, there was a chance to dominate the game, but we conceded the equaliser and the team took it."
Midfielder Youssouf Fofana, a key player in Milan's set-up, is on four yellow cards and could receive a one-match suspension if he is booked on Saturday, which would rule him out of a key trip to second-placed Atalanta next week.
Asked if the Frenchman would be rested as a precaution, Fonseca said: "I can't take the risk of resting him, because tomorrow is the most important game.
"I expect Fofana to play an intelligent game. If Fofana makes mistakes, he makes mistakes, but I expect the others not to make mistakes."
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