Borussia Dortmund claimed a vital 2-1 Champions League win over Real Betis at the Signal Iduna Park, but the victory came at a cost. Serhou Guirassy, the club's top scorer with eight goals in 14 appearances this season, was forced off in the 34th minute with a thigh problem, casting doubt over his availability for the coming weeks. It was a significant blow for a side that has already dealt with a string of injuries this campaign.

The good news arrived in the form of 18-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas, who came off the bench under unusual circumstances, having been located near the toilets when Kovac needed him, and delivered a match-winning performance. His composed finish for the winner earned him the UEFA Man of the Match award and, with Guirassy sidelined, Kovac confirmed the Greek international is likely to start upcoming fixtures. Fabio Silva also impressed, contributing a goal and an assist in a display that reinforced his growing value to the squad.

Off the pitch, contract talks with defender Waldemar Anton have hit a stumbling block, with Sport Bild reporting that initial salary proposals fell short of the player's expectations. Anton has been one of Dortmund's most consistent performers since joining from Stuttgart in 2024, making his situation one to monitor closely. Meanwhile, BVB sit second in the Bundesliga on 18 points, level with Bayern Munich, heading into Saturday's home game against Elversberg.