The Germany international played for over half an hour carrying an injury because he knew there was no other defender on the bench to replace him.

When coach Bruno Labbadia realised he was not fit enough to play, it was already too late as Gladbach had taken advantage to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead.

"I knew the situation that we had no more defenders and I wanted to grit my teeth, but it all went wrong," he said.

"I have not felt pain like that in ages."

Boateng spent much of the second half trotting around in his own half until he was finally withdrawn in the 84th minute, but he was clearly a handicap to his team and midfielder Ze Roberto accused Labbadia of not reacting quickly enough.

"I definitely think the coach substituted him too late," said the Brazilian. "Jerome was running around on one leg."

Labbadia defended his decision, claiming the club physiotherapist had assured him the player was fit to continue after giving him a pain-killing tablet.

"We did not take Boateng off because we had no other defender on the bench and the doctor said that it was only a bit of pain," he explained afterwards.

"And the player never signalled anything. I cannot read his mind."

The defeat, which was their first of the season, cost Hamburg their place at the top of the table, but Monchengladbach were delighted to get back to winning ways after failing to do so in their last six attempts.

"I am delighted that we have finally been rewarded with three points," said their coach Michael Frontzeck.

"To fall behind twice to a top team and then to find the organisation to defend and be courageous going forwards is not so easy."