The English winger came off the bench to score a consolation for Lucien Favre‘s side, with Lionel Messi inspiring the hosts to a 3-1 victory.

And while Sancho would therefore shape as a particularly suitable interviewee after the game, he told journalists assembled in the mixed zone that he was not able to speak to media.

Speculation around Sancho’s future at Dortmund has become increasingly prevalent, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City all linked. Spanish giants Real Madrid and, indeed, last night’s opponents Barcelona have also been mentioned in connection with a move.

Favre explained that Sancho’s absence from his starting lineup for the game was due to a lack of focus.

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“I explained to him [why he wasn’t starting] before the game,” Favre said after the game. “I told him it was a really difficult game here in Barcelona, and we needed players that were really focused and that went on to the pitch really focused.”

Defeat to Barcelona left Dortmund third in Group F, level on points with Inter Milan ahead of a crucial clash with Slavia Prague.

Sancho’s relationship with the German club has deteriorated significantly since the summer, and was believed to have been left humiliated after being substituted just 36 minutes into a 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich earlier in November.