Bensebaini starts as Dortmund end Real Betis’s perfect Champions League run
Ramy Bensebaini was in the starting line-up as Borussia Dortmund ended Real Betis’s perfect run in the Champions League, winning 2-1 at the Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday night in the fourth round of league-phase fixtures.
After a goalless first half, Fábio Silva put the German side ahead in the 49th minute. Ruibal levelled for Betis on 67 minutes, but Karetsas restored Dortmund’s lead just five minutes later to seal the win for Niko Kovac’s team.
Booked, then rested
The Algeria international lined up in a back line alongside Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck and Svensson. He was shown a yellow card in first-half stoppage time and made way for Gadou in the 75th minute, shortly after Dortmund had gone back in front.
The result matters in the table: Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis had won all three of their previous games in this season’s competition. The two clubs are now level on nine points.
Key numbers
- Score: Dortmund 2-1 Real Betis (0-0 at half-time)
- Goals: Fábio Silva (49′), Ruibal (67′), Karetsas (72′)
- Bensebaini: started, booked (45+4′), replaced on 75 minutes
- Points: nine each for Dortmund and Betis after four games
What’s next?
Attention now turns to the November international break, when the Desert Foxes, as Algeria’s national team is known, face Togo twice. Head coach Brahim Hemdani is due to name his squad on Thursday, and Bensebaini will find out then whether he has been called up.
Sources: Infobae (EFE), ESPN, La Gazette du Fennec