Mauricio Pochettino says there are no ulterior motives beyond the "technical" reasons for leaving Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld out of Tottenham's squad to face Inter.
Both players have remained behind in London ahead of Tuesday's Champions League opener, along with injured trio Dele Alli, Hugo Lloris and Moussa Sissoko.
The decision to not take the duo comes in the wake of successive Premier League defeats, Trippier and Alderweireld having formed part of the defence that has conceded four goals in the last two outings.
Pochettino rejected suggestions his decision was about sending a message following Saturday's 2-1 loss to Liverpool at Wembley.
"You are clever enough to understand that this is my fifth season and I never punish players," the Tottenham manager told reporters.
"The plan is to leave them there and use different players tomorrow. There's nothing behind it. Only that we're playing with different players.
"It's a technical decision."
Trippier and Alderweireld have each started four of Tottenham's five Premier League matches this season.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa's routes to the Champions League final
'I don’t get any respect. I’m not going to kiss someone’s ass to be loved - what is the problem with wanting to win prizes? If someone else does that, there is no problem' Romelu Lukaku laments media treatment during Premier League days
