Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Dropped for BVB vs. Sporting for 'Internal Reasons'

Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was left out of the team’s UEFA Champions League showdown with Sporting CP on Wednesday, with contrasting reports emerging as to why the decision was taken.

Per Mark Ashenden of Sky Sports, Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke confirmed the striker’s surprise omission from the clash at Westfalenstadion was due to “internal reasons.”

Bild (h/t Chris Davie of Metro) has since suggested he was left out after using his mobile phone during a pre-game briefing. However, according to Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror, the reason for the reprimand was an unsanctioned trip Aubameyang made to Italy earlier in the week; the forward reportedly attended a party in Varese at Hotel Villa Borghi on Monday.

As noted by former Norway international and Bundesliga pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft, the decision not to play the 27-year-old looked to be a late one from Dortmund:

His absence didn’t prove to be too costly. Indeed, the man who replaced Aubameyang in the starting XI against the Lisbon side, Adrian Ramos, netted the only goal of the game, securing his side’s passage into the knockout stages of the competition.

As we can see here, the former Saint-Etienne forward watched the match from the stands in striking attire:

While Dortmund were able to cope without the Gabon international on this occasion, they lack an edge when he’s not included in the XI.

Aubameyang has developed into the team’s most important player over the last couple of seasons, leading the line with pace, power and composure last term. The spectacular form he showcased in 2015-16 has carried over, with 10 goals netted in all competitions this season already, including three in the Champions League.

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Ramos, in fairness, is a fine deputy and a player who’d be pushing for starts at most clubs in European football. However, as noted by football writer Clark Whitney, the sooner Aubameyang is back in the side for Dortmund, the better:

The Gabonese star has previously been linked with a move away from the club, and you sense this marginalisation will trigger more talk of a switch. Per James Whaling of the Daily Mirror, both Manchester City and Real Madrid have been tipped as suitors in the past.

Despite their impressive showings in Europe, Dortmund’s form in the Bundesliga has been inconsistent. They sit in sixth place, without a win in their last four league games. Manager Thomas Tuchel will be hopeful his hard-line stance on Aubameyang will invigorate the goal-getter when they visit Hamburg on Saturday.