Real Betis Balompié returned tonight to European competitions five years after the last time. In their debut against Olympiacos FC, the Green and Whites were much superior to the rival, although they had some good chances. Also, the locals played the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Tsimikas was shown a second yellow card.

The game began and, as usual, Betis looked for the possession. The rival, on the other hand, tried to impose a high pressing, trying to compromise the beginning of plays. The first chance came in the 15th minute. Loren got a great pass from Joaquín and run towards the goal but Tsimikas touched the ball just when the striker was about to shoot.

The Green and White side tried to stretch their lines, looking for open spaces. Lo Celso tried with a shot from outside the box, but the ball went just wide. The home team tried for the first time after half an hour, but their effort didn't create much trouble for Robles. Betis immediately replied but the León didn't put much strength to his header and Gianniotis saved it.

In spite of Betis' absolute control, the clearest of the first half was for the Greek. After a foul on mandi the referee didn't whistle, Podence received the ball inside the box and shot but Robles produced a sensational save. The last one of he first half was again for León, whose left-footed effort didn't beat the keeper.

After half time, Betis took little time to try again on goal. Lo Celso found Tello on the left and the winger dribbled and shot looking for the near post but Gianniotis was there to save it. Soon later, Robles saved the team again, blocking a close-range shot from the rivals.

The possession by Betis was overwhelming, more than 70%. However, the team couldn't find their way to the goal. The best so far came after a steal thanks to the high pressure. León got the ball and run, finding Gianniotis left foot with his shot. The team continued trying to pass the ball around in order to open the lines of the opponent. But Robles again had to show up to deny a strong shot from Camara. The home team then saw themselves weakened when Tsimikas saw his second yellow card.

The final minutes were a siege on the box defended by the team from Piraeus. However, nothing changed and Betis got just one point.

Se llegaba al tramo final del encuentro, que había sido de dominio total verdiblanco, aunque el Olympiacos había tenido las más claras. No cambiaba el guion pese a la superioridad numérica y en juego. Apretaba los dientes el equipo, empujando con todo en busca del gol en el último suspiro. Un centro raso de Tello en la prolongación se paseaba por delante de la portería, pero ni Loren ni Sanabria llegaban al remate.

Olympiacos FC: Gianniotis, Elabdellaoui, Meriah, Vukovic, Tsimikas, Camara, Bouchalakis (Natcho 35'), Feftazidis (Lazaros 70'), Fortounis, Podence (Torosidis 80'), Hassan. Booked: Bouchalakis (21'), Tsimikas (31', 73'). Sent-off: Tsimikas (73').

Real Betis Balompié: Joel Robles, Barragán, Mandi, Javi García, Sidnei, Tello, Guardado, Lo Celso (Inui 82'), Joaquín (Sanabria 80'), Loren, Sergio León (Canales 71'). Booked: Canales (75').