Once written off at Manchester United, Antony has emerged as Real Betis’ UEFA Conference League hero.
With 3 goals, 2 assists, and a semi-final masterclass, discover how he’s rewriting his story with Betis players.
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A £85m Misjudgment
Antony’s 2022 move to Manchester United was billed as a statement signing, but it quickly unraveled.
The £85 million winger managed just 12 goals in 96 games, plagued by a lack of consistency and defensive indifference.
English media christened him “Flop Tony,” mocking his “static” style and reliance on his left foot.
Even former teammate David de Gea, who shared a season with him at Old Trafford, admitted, “In 1,000 training sessions, he never scored with his right foot. That changed at Betis.”
The root of his struggles? A tactical mismatch. United’s rigid system demanded defensive discipline, suffocating his natural creativity.
By January 2025, both parties agreed a loan move to Real Betis – a last-ditch effort to revive his career.
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Betis’ Culture of Trust
In Seville, Antony found a footballing utopia under Manuel Pellegrini. The Betis manager’s philosophy was simple: “Give players freedom to express themselves.”
Gone were the defensive shackles; in their place, a 4-2-3-1 system that prioritized creativity, with Antony as the right-wing fulcrum.
“At Betis, I feel alive again,” he told DAZN. “Here, the coaches and Betis players trust my instincts. I’m not just a cog in a machine – I’m a playmaker.”
The transformation was immediate. In his first four La Liga games, he scored 3 goals and assisted 1, including a stunning volley against Real Sociedad.
But it’s in the UEFA Conference League where he’s truly transcended.
UEFA Conference League Dominance
Antony has been the heartbeat of Betis’ European run, with stats that dwarf his Man Utd output:
|
Competition |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
Key Passes/Game |
Shot Conversion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
UEFA Conference League |
8 |
3 |
2 |
3.1 |
25% |
|
La Liga 2025 |
12 |
5 |
3 |
2.8 |
22% |
His defining moment came in the semi-finals vs. Fiorentina.
In the first leg, with the tie locked at 1-1, he collected the ball 30 yards out, dribbled past two defenders, and unleashed a right-footed rocket into the top corner – his first competitive goal with his weaker foot.
“That goal symbolizes everything he’s overcome,” said Pellegrini.
In the second leg, he added 4 tackles to secure a 4-3 aggregate win, proving he’s no longer a one-dimensional attacker.
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How Betis Players Elevate Antony？
Pellegrini’s system thrives on collective movement, with Antony at its core.
He drifts inside from the right wing, linking with midfielders Guido Rodríguez and Nabil Fekir, while winger Abde Ezzalzouli overlaps to stretch defenses.
This interplay has created 42% of Betis’ goals in the competition.
“Antony makes us better,” Rodríguez explains. “When he receives the ball, defenders panic.
That creates space for everyone – Borja [Iglesias] in the box, me to dictate tempo.”
Even Betis legend Joaquin, now a club ambassador, has joined the hype: “I’d help kidnap him to keep him here. He’s the difference between a good team and a great one.”
Antony vs. Chelsea’s Young Lions
On May 28, Betis face Chelsea in the Conference League final – a clash of redemption vs. youth. For Antony, the matchup presents a dual opportunity:
Tactical Weakness to Exploit
Chelsea’s high-line defense, reliant on 20-year-old Alfie Gilchrist, may struggle with Antony’s pace on the counter.
His ability to cut inside (3 of his 5 La Liga goals came from left-footed finishes) or play quick one-twos with Abde could exploit gaps left by attacking fullbacks Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
Mental Edge
Having already overcome Fiorentina’s experienced backline, Antony enters the final with confidence.
“We fear no one,” he stated. “Betis players believe in our story.”
Football analyst Jonathan Johnson agrees: “Antony’s unpredictability is Chelsea’s worst nightmare.
If Betis can get him on the ball in the final third, they’ll score.”
Final Prediction: Betis’ Narrow Triumph
Despite Chelsea’s favoritism (1.66 odds vs. Betis’ 9.00), Antony’s influence and Betis’ discipline could secure a 2-1 win:
-
First Half: Betis absorb Chelsea’s pressure and take the lead via Fekir’s free-kick, set up by Antony’s movement drawing a foul.
-
Second Half: Antony’s defensive work stifles Chelsea’s counterattacks, before he assists Abde to set up Borja Iglesias’ winner.
-
Result: Betis clinch their first European trophy since 2005, with Antony named Man of the Match.
