Dortmund beat Real Betis to claim third Champions League win in four matches

Borussia Dortmund secured a 2-1 victory over Real Betis at Signal Iduna Park to move on to nine points from their opening four Champions League matches.

Fabio Silva opened the scoring four minutes after half-time, before Aitor Ruibal brought Real Betis level in the 67th minute. Konstantinos Karetsas restored Dortmund’s lead five minutes later, and that goal proved decisive.

The result leaves Dortmund 12th in the league standings on nine points, while Real Betis are 11th, also with nine points.

Dortmund manager Niko Kovac was pleased with the way his side improved after the interval, while recognising the quality of their opponents.

“We created some promising plays after finding Julian Ryerson out wide,” Kovac told the club’s website. “Betis was very compact in its four-three-three formation.

“It was obvious to everyone that this isn’t a team that accidentally stumbled into playing in the Champions League, but one that takes the field with very good, experienced players.

“This wasn’t exactly an easy task for us. In the second half, we played much better. We had to work hard, but the win is well-deserved and important for us.

“To finish in the top eight, we need seventeen or eighteen points. Now, we’ll see what happens when we go to London.”

Dortmund’s next Champions League fixture is against Arsenal on 24 November.

Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini was frustrated that his side could not take at least a point from a match in which he felt they had competed strongly.

“I think the team played a very solid match from the first minutes and with the personality to go out and win the game,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we had a scoring chance that was disallowed for a millimetre offside.

“It was a very contested match. In the second half when we tied it at 1-1, they quickly made it 2-1 and from there the last 15 minutes were our domain.

“We had a couple of chances where the team competed.

“I was satisfied with what was done but bitter we were not able to get a point in a venue we know is difficult.

“So, it keeps up with nine out of 12 points, so it’s a very good performance in the Champions League.”

Real Betis will play Slovan Bratislava in their next Champions League tie.