Real Betis go into Borussia Dortmund vs Real Betis with Manuel Pellegrini asking for belief, conviction and a front-foot start. The match is the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase, starts at 21:00 and arrives with Betis on nine points from nine possible after beating Lille, Porto and Feyenoord.
Pellegrini's demand for the opening phase
Speaking to Relevo, Pellegrini said: "We have to have the personality and the conviction to go after the three points from the first play." He added: "I hope for the fans that it is a good match and that we get a good result."
The tone fits the state of the table. Betis are seventh with nine points from three matches, while Dortmund are 16th with six points from three games. This is not a night to sit back and wait for the game to settle, especially with both sides still in the qualification places.
The numbers also explain why Betis can afford ambition. Their Champions League form is three wins from three, and Pellegrini is pressing for the same edge in Germany rather than a cautious away-night plan.
The Betis travelling support
The away following will be a major part of the night. Around 6,300 Betis fans will be at Signal Iduna Park, with the 3,813 official tickets sold out immediately and around 2,300 supporters buying in the home section.
That is close to the club's European travel record in Milan in October 2018, when nearly 7,000 Betis fans travelled. For a club outside the usual Champions League heavyweights, that level of support turns a league-phase trip into something bigger than a routine away day.
Pellegrini will not need to tell the players what is coming from the stands. He has already told them what he wants from the pitch, and Betis will try to deliver that at Signal Iduna Park at 21:00.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
