Real Betis were due to play Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion on Wednesday 4 November. Ahead of the Champions League game, Betis had won all of their European matches so far, but had not beaten a German side in an official competition this century.
Betis form before the trip
Real Betis had recorded narrow wins in Europe against Lille, Porto and Feyenoord. Six of their seven goals in this competition had come in the second half.
Flashscore described Real Betis as the tournament's surprise package. Flashscore said Betis would rely on Marc Roca's positional intelligence as the central pivot, the bursts down the flanks from Elzazzouli and Antony, and Isco taking control from midfield onwards. Flashscore also said Troy Parrott had found the ideal environment in Seville to express himself as a mobile centre-forward, while Manuel Pellegrini's ideological and tactical influence was important in Betis' positive form.
Dortmund's home numbers
Borussia Dortmund had scored at least twice in six of their last seven home Champions League games. Flashscore said Dortmund were shaped by Niko Kovac in a physical yet dynamic 4-3-3.
Flashscore said Dortmund's key reference points were Joey Veerman's orchestration, Jobe Bellingham's runs from midfield and the physical presence of Serhou Guirassy.
Against German opposition
Real Betis had recorded two draws and two defeats against German sides in official competition this century. Flashscore said Isco had frightened Dortmund in 2013 when he was playing for Malaga.
Flashscore said Pellegrini had taken Malaga to the quarter-finals, and that Dortmund reached the Champions League semi-finals in that meeting thanks to a goal from Santana after the 90th minute.
