Borussia Dortmund will be without captain Marcel Schmelzer, who has not been included in the 18-man squad, for their match against Bayer Leverkusen. Peter Stöger cited "sporting reasons" for the decision.

"It's a sporting decision," said Stöger to Sky barely half an hour before kick-off, adding: "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." As a result, Manuel Akanji has today been given the nod over Schmelzer. (br)