# Bartra returns to Dortmund as Betis chase a fourth European win

Betis have the chance to make it four wins from four in the Champions League and strengthen their position among the leading sides. Marc Bartra returns to face his former club, while Cucho Hernández, Junior Firpo and Álvaro Fidalgo are unavailable.

Preview · Champions League
Editorial board · 4 November 2026

- Borussia Dortmund v Real Betis
- Kick-off: 2026-11-04 20:00 UTC
- Ground: Signal Iduna Park
- Status: To come

Marc Bartra's return to Dortmund gives this meeting a personal thread, but Betis have a bigger prize in sight. Three wins from their opening three Champions League matches have put Manuel Pellegrini's side in a position to make an early statement in the competition. A fourth would give that start even greater weight.

Dortmund will be difficult to unsettle at home. They have gone six matches there without defeat, and their latest 2-2 draw away to Bayern Munich showed the resilience that has kept them level on points with the Bundesliga leaders. Niko Kovač's side have also won two of their three European matches, recovering from the defeat at Bodø/Glimt with a victory over Sabah.

Bartra knows this ground well. The Spanish defender spent a year and a half at Dortmund before leaving in 2018, and this will be his first competitive appearance against his former club. He returns as an important figure in Pellegrini's side, with the opportunity to help Betis maintain a start that has already included wins over Lille, Porto and Feyenoord.

The visitors will be without Cucho Hernández, Junior Firpo and Álvaro Fidalgo, while Iker Losada has also been left out of the travelling squad. Dortmund have their own long-term absentees, including Emre Can and Giannis Konstantelias. Betis have shown they can compete against strong European opposition, but Dortmund's home record gives the hosts a narrow advantage.

## Our call

Dortmund's strength at home gives them a narrow edge, but Betis have enough European momentum to make this a close contest.

## Coming in

Dortmund are unbeaten in their last five matches, with three wins and two draws, including their 2-2 result against Bayern Munich. Betis have won three of their last five, drawing once and losing once, and arrive after a 2-1 victory over Málaga.

## Between them

This will be their first competitive meeting. Dortmund won their only previous encounter, a 2-0 friendly in 2015.

## The hinge

Betis must find a way through Dortmund's early pressure and prevent the hosts from controlling the midfield; otherwise, their home advantage could prove decisive.

## Missing

Dortmund will be without Emre Can and Giannis Konstantelias, both recovering from cruciate ligament injuries, while Justin Lerma and Kauã Prates are also unavailable with muscle injuries. Betis are without Cucho Hernández through injury, Junior Firpo with a muscular injury and Álvaro Fidalgo due to a viral illness. Iker Losada has been left out by the coach.