Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has heaped praises on Brazilian winger Antony, highlighting his exceptional display for the Spanish club.
Speaking ahead of the UEFA Conference League final against Chelsea on Wednesday, Pellegrini also stated that the he never doubted the quality of the on-loan Manchester United winger.
Antony’s impact at Betis
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The 25-year old has scored eight goals and provided five assists since joining from Manchester United in the January transfer window.
Despite his struggles at the Red Devils, failing to live up to his £85 million price tag from Ajax, Antony has found his form since his arrival at the Benito Villamarin Stadium.
The former Man United forward has scored four goals in the Conference League, including in both legs of the semifinal win over Fiorentina.
What Pellegrini said
“He has not surprised me because I knew him before from England,” said the former Manchester City, Real Madrid and West Ham manager.
“Also, when you buy a player for that amount of money it is not always because you made a mistake. Maybe there are some reasons why Antony could not play the way he knows at Manchester United, but that is another thing.
When he arrived here he looked assured in the way we play and confident in his game, so I thought he would be an important player”, Pellegrini concluded.
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Road to final
Real Betis defeated Italian side Fiorentina 4-3 on aggregate in the semifinals, to book their spot in the finals against Chelsea.
The English side meanwhile, defeated Swedish side Djurgarden convincingly, sealing a 5-1 aggregate victory over both legs.
The final will hold at the Wroclaw stadium in Poland on Wednesday, with both sides hoping to end the league on a high with a victory.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
