Did Dortmund’s grit earn them the win? The German side clinched a 2-1 triumph over Real Betis on Champions League Matchday 4, with Fabio Silva netting and setting up the decisive goal.
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Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Real Betis
Goals: 1-0 Silva 49′, 1-1 Ruibal 67′ (assist: Ezzalzouli), 2-1 Karetsas 72′ (assist: Silva)
Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač made three changes to the side that drew 2-2 in Der Klassiker at Bayern Munich over the weekend, restoring Ramy Bensebaini, Julian Ryerson, and Silva to the starting line-up in place of Joane Gadou, Maximilian Beier and Carney Chukwuemeka, all of whom dropped to the bench.
For Betis, former BVB defender Marc Bartra, who made 51 competitive appearances for Die Schwarzgelben between July 2016 and January 2018 and won the 2017/18 DFB Cup, began on the bench.
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Silva was rewarded a Champions League start after coming off the bench to net the dramatic late equaliser in Der Klassiker at the weekend. – UWE KRAFT –>
Early chances wasted on both sides.
Early on Dortmund pressed harder, as Serhou Guirassy barely missed after a Ryerson cross in the third minute and then blasted over from inside the box six minutes later.
Betis thought they had led in the 14th when Antony slipped past Gregor Kobel, but the goal was chalked off for a marginal off‑side involving Troy Parrott.
A fine reflex from Álvaro Valles denied Daniel Svensson in the 21st minute, keeping the visitors at bay.
Misfortune struck at the half hour when Guirassy collapsed injured in the 31st; he was replaced by Konstantinos Karetsas.
Silva reacted fastest, hammering home the rebound to give Dortmund the lead early in the second half. – IMAGO/Maik Hölter/TEAM2sportphoto
Silva and Karetsas turn the tide.
Four minutes after the restart, Jobe Bellingham’s low shot was parried by Valles, and Silva pounced, slotting the rebound home in the 49th minute.
Betis answered in the 67th, with Abde Ezzalzouli threading a pass to Aitor Ruibal, who capitalised on Waldemar Anton’s error to level the score.
Undeterred, Dortmund struck back five minutes later; Silva collected the ball 35 yards out, slipped a perfect pass to Karetsas at the edge of the box, and the youngster hammered it into the bottom corner. In my view, Dortmund’s depth proved decisive.
Karetsas celebrates alongside Silva, who supplied the assist for the match‑winner. – Lars Baron