Champions League: Dortmund wins thanks to Karetsas, Como scores nine goals

BVB were superior, but they initially missed their few big chances in front of 81,365 spectators - and they lost Serhou Guirassy, ​​who limped off the pitch injured early on. Then came his strike partner Fabio Silva (49th), who scored with a shot. Aitor Ruibal (67') countered for Sevilla - five minutes later Karetsas scored with a well-placed left-footed shot.

Marc Bartra wasn't in the Betis starting line-up, but he was still warmly welcomed by the BVB fans in the south stand. It was a very special return for the only player who was injured in the bomb attack on the Dortmund team in 2017. "I had to overcome very difficult moments. This made me appreciate life, football and the people at my side even more," the 35-year-old said in an interview with the sports information service. BVB will “always have a special place” in his heart.

But despite all the sentimentality: For BVB coach Niko Kovac, there was of course “only one direction: We want to win.” Despite the success with the four-man chain in Munich, he switched back to a three-man line with Waldemar Anton in the center. He let Silva and Guirassy storm, who also got the first big chances (3rd/9th). Marcel Sabitzer signed off ill on the day of the match. BVB started with a lot of ball possession and a clear focus on the right offensive side, but an offside goal by the Brazilian Antony (15th) was also an urgent warning to BVB. In addition, Kovac was forced to change after half an hour. Guirassy left the pitch with muscular problems and Karetsas came in as a replacement, one position behind Silva. The game then lost its initial momentum due to numerous interruptions.

After the half-time break, BVB tied down their opponents and earned the lead. For Dortmund, the most difficult Champions League tests will follow in the coming months: it continues on November 24th at Arsenal FC, then there are duels with Inter Milan and Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, premier class debutant Como 1907 secured a spectacular record victory in the Champions League. The Italians won at RC Lens 9:1 (3:0). The previous record for the elite league, which was reformed in 1992, was shared by FC Liverpool (2007 against Beşiktaş Istanbul) and Real Madrid (2015 against Malmö FF) with 8-0 victories. Como, coached by Spaniard Cesc Fàbregas, had already beaten RB Leipzig and Manchester United 4-1 this season and is in fourth place in the table. Greek striker Anastasios Douvikas opened the scoring in the first half with a brace and completed his hat-trick to make it 6-0 in the 57th minute. German defender Marc-Oliver Kempf also scored, and Matteo Papaccioli scored the final goal (90+2).

Liverpool FC, on the other hand, suffered bitter disappointment with national player Florian Wirtz. The Reds lost 2:3 (1:1) at Fenerbahçe Istanbul. Wirtz caused a stir after his substitution and was able to score a late knockout. but not prevent it. It is the first loss of points in the premier class for Liverpool. The fifth-placed team in the English Premier League took the lead twice through Trey Nyoni (25th) and Alexander Isak (69th), while Mason Greenwood (29th) and Archie Brown (73rd) equalized for Istanbul. Vedat Muriqi scored the first three-pointer for the home team in the 79th minute.

Meanwhile, record winners Real Madrid were able to avert a last-minute setback. With German national player Antonio Rüdiger, the Royals came to a late 3-2 (1-1) win at AEK Athens and extended their series to seven competitive game wins. Federico Valverde saved Real in the second minute of stoppage time.

Two weeks after the 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich, FC Arsenal won 2-1 (2-0) at Slavia Prague, helping the hosts set an inglorious Champions League record. Prague has been waiting for a victory in the premier class in 23 games since its first appearance in 2007, only AEK Athens and the Romanian club then known as Steaua Bucharest also suffered such long dry spells.