Schalke coach Huub Stevens has defended his management of Rabbi Matondo.

The former Manchester City winger moved to S04 in January for €10m, but has battled to establish himself so far.

Matondo was dropped to the reserves instead of featuring against Hannover.

Stevens said: "If I had taken the boy with me, he might have played for 20 minutes - if at all. You never know how the game is going.

"Then it is much better if he can play for 90 minutes."