Real Betis vs Porto: Champions League night at La Cartuja
Key takeaways
- Real Betis host Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
- Betis won their opener 3-2 at Lille, while Porto lost 2-0 to Man City.
- Betis are back in the main draw for the first time since 2005-06.
Real Betis host Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Betis won their opener. Porto lost theirs.
That contrast sets up a big night at La Cartuja.
This article was written while the match was still in progress. It explains what is at stake. It also explains what both teams did in their openers.
The game kicked off at 8pm at the Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla. It is matchday two of the league phase. The game was level at 0-0 in the early minutes.
The full-time result was not yet known when this article was written.
What happened
Betis are enjoying a long-awaited return to the Champions League. They last played in the main draw in 2005-06. That is more than 20 years ago.
Their return started with a statement win.
On matchday one, Betis won 3-2 at Lille. It was a five-goal thriller. Marc Bartra scored twice.
Troy Parrott scored the winner. That gave Betis maximum points from their first game.
Betis have been strong in Europe for a while. They have lost only three of their last 13 European matches. They have lost just one of their last 11 league-phase fixtures in UEFA competitions.
That is a solid record.
Their league form is strong too. Betis beat Osasuna 5-2 last time out. That result left them third in La Liga.
They have won all four of their home matches this season. They have lost just one of their nine games in all competitions.
Porto are no strangers to the Champions League. This is their 28th appearance in the main draw. But it is their first in three seasons.
Their return did not start well. They lost 2-0 at home to Manchester City.
That defeat was Porto's third in their last 11 Champions League games. But they have won eight of those games. That shows they can compete at this level.
They also have a strong record in Portugal this season.
Porto have won each of their last three competitive matches. They came back to win 2-1 away to Maritimo at the weekend. That result kept them top of the Primeira Liga.
They have a five-point cushion at the top.
But Porto have a poor record in Spain. They have won just once in their last eight games in Spain in UEFA competitions. They have drawn one and lost six.
Their last win in Spain came in 2014-15 against Athletic Club. That is a run they want to end.
Porto are two-time European champions. They won the trophy in 1987 and 2004. That history gives the club belief.
But history does not win games. The team on the pitch must do that.
On team news, Betis were expected to be without Junior Firpo. He has an adductor injury. Aitor Ruibal was doubtful with a knee problem.
Antony also needed a check after a muscular issue against Osasuna.
Alvaro Valles was expected to stay in goal. Hector Bellerin, Marc Bartra, Natan and Fran Garcia were set to form the back four. Isco was likely to play behind Troy Parrott.
Isco scored twice against Levante before the Osasuna game.
Porto were without suspended defender Jan Bednarek. He was serving the second and final game of a suspension. Zaidu Sanusi was also out with an abductor injury.
William Gomes was out with an ankle injury.
Nehuen Perez was close to a return from a thigh injury. If he was not fit, Pablo Rosario could fill in at centre-back. Borja Sainz could start on the right side of attack.
Oskar Pietuszewski could also start after scoring the winner off the bench at the weekend.
Porto are coached by Francesco Farioli. Betis are coached by Manuel Pellegrini. Both men know how much this game matters.
Three points would change the shape of the group.
Why it matters
For Betis, a win would be huge. They would have six points from two games. That is a dream start for a team back after 20 years.
It would also keep their home run going. They have won all four home games this season.
The home crowd matters for Betis. The team has scored at least twice in each of their last nine continental matches at home. That is a strong record.
The fans at La Cartuja will expect more goals.
For Porto, this game is about fixing the start. They lost their opener at home. A second defeat would leave them with zero points from two games.
That is a bad place to be. A win would put them right back in the mix.
Porto's record in Spain is a real worry. One win in eight games is poor for a club of their size. Breaking that run at Betis would send a message.
It would show that this Porto side can win anywhere.
The game also matters for the Champions League picture. Matchday two is a busy night. Aston Villa hosted Fenerbahce on the same night.
Man City hosted PSG too. Results across the night shape the early table.
The second round started on Tuesday. Sporting won 2-0 away to Lens. That result left Sporting provisionally second on six points.
The same as leaders Barcelona and third-placed Arsenal. Every point matters in the league phase.
Betis have a clear plan under Pellegrini. They are hard to beat. They score goals.
They have lost just one game all season. Porto have a clear plan too. They are top of their league.
They have won all but one of their games this season. Something had to give at La Cartuja.
What happens next
The full-time result was not yet known when this article was written. The next games will show which team can keep its form going. Betis want to keep winning at home.
Porto want to fix their record in Spain.
For Betis, the key is the attack. Parrott scored the winner at Lille. Bartra scored twice in that game.
Isco is in good form. If they keep scoring, Betis will be hard to stop.
For Porto, the key is the defence. They lost Bednarek to suspension. They have injuries at the back.
They need to stay tight away from home. If they can do that, their attack can win the game.
Both teams will also look at the table after matchday two. Six points would be a great start for Betis. Three points would keep Porto in the race.
One point would leave Porto with work to do.
The Champions League season is long. Matchday two is only the start. But early wins matter.
They build belief. They give teams room to breathe. Betis started with a win.
Porto started with a defeat. This game was the next chapter for both.
Betis waited 20 years to return to this stage. Porto have won this trophy twice. On Wednesday night, both clubs wanted the same thing.
Three points, and a step closer to the next round.
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