Borussia Dortmund head coach Peter Stoger has revealed a "sporting decision" was the reason for Marcel Schmelzer missing the 4-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
Captain Schmelzer was not only dropped from the starting XI but left out of Dortmund's matchday squad for the Bundesliga fixture at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday.
Stoger instead started Manuel Akanji at left-back, while Julian Weigl, Mario Gotze and Jadon Sancho were also drafted into the team following last weekend's 2-0 derby defeat to Schalke.
The changes worked too, with Dortmund running out convincing winners to close in on a top-four finish that will secure Champions League football for next season.
"It's a sporting decision," Stoger told Sky when asked about Schmelzer's absence prior to kick-off.
"A captain usually plays in the starting line-up. Like several other players, he has not delivered optimal performances over the course of recent weeks.
"We need a certain degree of robustness in the full-back positions to counter the quick lads in the Leverkusen team."
Schmelzer was in the crowd to witness Marco Reus score twice for Dortmund, who have leapfrogged Leverkusen to move into third place in the table.
Sancho also scored his maiden goal for the club, the Englishman breaking the deadlock before going on to provide two assists in his first league start since January.
6601 - Jadon is the youngest Englishman to score in history (6601 days old). Jewel. April 21, 2018
‘Maybe I’ll be signed by Wrexham, who knows? English football would suit me – if an offer came, I wouldn’t think twice, I’d go immediately’ Euro 2024 cult hero reveals his UK dream
‘Managing Leeds? It was an option that appeared, but it wasn’t the right timing. I decided it wasn’t a good idea to leave the club I was at mid-season’: Premier League boss admits to turning down opportunity to replace Jesse Marsch in 2023
