Betis vs Chelsea live updates: Conference League final latest team news and today’s build-up

Rarely has a winter loan move worked out as well for both player and club as Antony’s switch from Manchester United to Real Betis in January.

The Brazilian’s most important contribution (so far) for Betis came in their Conference League semi-final against Fiorentina, when the 25-year-old was outstanding in both legs.

In the first game at Betis’ Benito Villamarin stadium, Antony hit a bouncing ball into the top corner to give his side a 2-1 advantage to take to Italy. In the second leg, he opened the scoring with a 25-yard free kick that pinged in off the far post. After two Fiorentina goals had levelled the tie, an unselfish assist for his team-mate Abde Ezzalzouli sent the Seville-based La Liga side through to their first European final.

On the final whistle, Antony broke into tears, shrugging off embraces from team-mates as he soaked in the acclaim of the travelling Betis fans.

“They were tears of joy, but of relief too,” Antony said on Movistar TV during an interview on the pitch. “I’ve been through a very difficult moment in my life. Only my family and I know what happened with us. I’ve cried a lot — with my mother, my wife, my sister. Now I’m living this dream, this incredible moment. I’m very happy.”

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