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    Lucien Favre on Jadon Sancho Bayern Substitution: 'He Was Not Good Enough Today'

    Matt JonesFeatured ColumnistNovember 10, 2019

    MUNICH, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 09: Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund and head coach Lucien Favre of Borussia Dortmund looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Arena on November 9, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
    TF-Images/Getty Images

    Borussia Dortmund manager Lucien Favre has said Jadon Sancho was substituted in the first half of the team's 4-0 loss to Bayern Munich because he "was not good enough."

    Dortmund were well below their best in the contest at the Allianz Arena, with Bayern inspired to victory by Robert Lewandowski's two goals. Sancho started the game but was taken off after just 36 minutes.

    Given the England international had missed some training in the buildup to the game, there was an assumption that he had aggravated an injury problem when he was withdrawn. However, the Dortmund boss offered a candid explanation after the game, per Daniel Lewis of Goal.

    "He was injured for a couple of days and could not train," he said. "Yesterday he returned to training, but I think you saw he was not good enough today. He was not injured."

    Here are the highlights from the clash, which moved Bayern to within one point of Bundesliga leaders Borussia Monchengladbach:

    Lucien Favre on Jadon Sancho Bayern Substitution: 'He Was Not Good Enough Today'
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    As football writer Zach Lowy relayed, Sancho hasn't enjoyed the most prosperous of spells lately:

    Zach Lowy @ZachLowy

    Jadon Sancho over the past month: -Benched vs. Freiburg -Excluded from the squad vs. Gladbach after returning late from international break -Didn't play at all vs. Wolfsburg -Subbed off after 36 minutes vs. Bayern

    Per Stefan Buczko of ESPN FC, the 19-year-old was culpable in the buildup to the opening goal, as he was sloppy in possession and failed to track his man:

    Stefan Buczko @StefanBuczko

    For some reason I thought it was Hakimi who lost the ball before the 1-0 but it was Sancho, who then just remained where he lost the ball. Not up for it, sub warranted. https://t.co/qRD1LytpAV

    Favre was critical of the manner in which his team performed overall, as they missed an opportunity to move to the top of the table.

    "I have to say that we were clearly not there," he said. "It was a very, very weak performance. You saw today that it was way too little from us. Way too little."

    Favre's frustration is understandable, as he would have seen the game as a chance to earn a win in Munich. After all, Bayern sacked Niko Kovac after the team were hammered 5-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt in their previous league match.

    However, Dortmund were unable to pose the same sorts of issues for the Bayern defence and were wide-open at the other end on numerous occasions. Buczko commented on the side's lack of quality and determination following the forgettable afternoon:

    Stefan Buczko @StefanBuczko

    Dortmund created 1 shot in 90 minutes. Bayern were without Süle, Boateng and Hernandez. BVB were without the will to win. #fcbbvb

    Sancho's poor display and consequent substitution did little to help the team's attacking play, as he so frequently brings a thrust on the flanks and composed decision-making in the final third. It will be intriguing to see whether he's back in the side when club football returns after the international break.

    If the winger is fit, he will join up with Gareth Southgate's England squad in the coming days. They are in action in two UEFA 2020 European Championship qualifiers over the international break, with the first against Montenegro at Wembley Stadium on Thursday.