Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that Brazilian winger Antony was driven by a desire for “revenge” following his difficult spell at Manchester United. The 25-year-old has rediscovered his form at Betis ahead of their UEFA Conference League final clash with Chelsea on Wednesday.
Antony joined the La Liga side on loan in January and has since impressed, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in 25 appearances. His resurgence comes after a disappointing stint at Old Trafford, where he struggled to justify his £81.3 million ($110 million) transfer fee from Ajax in 2022 making him the second-most expensive player in Manchester United’s history.
Before moving to Spain, Antony had scored just once for United this season. In a candid interview with TNT Sports Brazil, the winger opened up about his mental struggles during that period, admitting, “There were days I went without eating. I told my brother I couldn’t take it anymore.”
Speaking ahead of the final in Wroclaw, Pellegrini praised Antony’s transformation and credited the player for his own resurgence.
“I spoke with him before he joined Betis, and he told me he wasn’t playing because he wasn’t happy,” the Betis coach explained at a press conference on Tuesday. “He also said he wanted revenge. And here at Betis, he’s shown exactly what he’s capable of.”
Pellegrini, a former manager of both Real Madrid and Manchester City, acknowledged the weight of expectations that came with Antony’s hefty price tag.
“Antony is a very good player. Carrying that level of pressure is not easy, but I’m sure his time at Betis has been very important for his growth and confidence,” he said.
Despite Chelsea being favourites for the competition from the outset, Pellegrini remains confident ahead of Betis’ first-ever European final. The Spanish side finished sixth in La Liga this season.
“We don’t see this as a David versus Goliath scenario,” said the 71-year-old. “I believe we have just as much chance of winning tomorrow as Chelsea.”
Pellegrini also shared a personal connection to Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, his former assistant during their time at West Ham. He revealed that he had jokingly predicted this final meeting early in the tournament.
“I sent him a short message during the group stage saying I could see us meeting in Poland,” Pellegrini recalled. “When we both made it to the final, I sent another message to say how happy I was that the prediction had come true.”
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