Niko Kovac maintains his confidence in Serhou Guirassy ahead of Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga clash with Werder Bremen, despite the striker's recent goal drought.
Guirassy has now failed to score in any of his last seven Bundesliga games, the longest run without a goal in his German top-flight career.
The Guinea international has scored nine goals in all competitions this term, more than any other Dortmund player (Julian Brandt second with eight).
Guirassy also came under scrutiny after Dortmund's thrilling 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday for giving away a first-half penalty, but Kovac is confident he will be back among the goals soon.
"It's obvious that I value him highly, support him, and protect him," said Kovac.
"That's also my job as a coach. I know what he's capable of. But I also know that he wants to achieve more.
"He's our best striker. He always gives his all, always tries his best. Of course, we're missing five, six, seven goals at the moment.
"But these slumps happen. We'll get through this together. It's important to keep building the lad up. He'll be very important in the future."
Dortmund are currently second in the Bundesliga table, but sit 11 points behind Bayern Munich, having lost further ground on them after the draw last time out.
BVB are on a nine-game unbeaten streak since their loss against the league leaders in mid-October, as they prepare to welcome a struggling Werder.
Horst Steffen's side sit 12th in the league and have failed to win any of their last five (D2 L3), though they have not yet played in 2026, with their match against Hoffenheim last weekend postponed.
Despite Werder's recent struggles, Kovac remains wary of the threat posed to his team.
"I do believe that it's definitely not a disadvantage to already have a game under your belt and therefore a bit of rhythm," Kovac added.
"On the other hand, it can also be an advantage if you haven't played at the weekend. Werder are a good Bundesliga team, a strong side that wants the ball and play football.
"We have to try to make sure the ball is in our possession more often than in the opponent's."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Borussia Dortmund – Maximilian Beier
Beier has scored in consecutive Bundesliga appearances for the first time for the club (two goals), having never done so before.
He has scored three goals against Werder in the competition, more than he has netted against any other team.
Not the start to the new year we were hoping for, but the away end was outstanding once again.
Werder Bremen – Romano Schmid
Five of Romano Schmid's six direct goal involvements in this Bundesliga season have come away from home (one goal, four assists).
No player has more away assists in the German top-flight this season than he has; he last set up both Werder goals in their 3-2 defeat at Hamburg but failed to register a goal involvement in their last game on the road against Augsburg.