In the aftermath of a crushing 4-1 defeat in the UEFA Europa Conference League final, Real Betis winger Antony reflected on a challenging night against Chelsea. The Brazilian, on loan from Manchester United, had enjoyed a productive spell in La Liga under manager Manuel Pellegrini. His resurgence had been marked by nine goals and two assists in the second half of the season, rekindling some of the promise that led Manchester United to invest heavily in him. However, on the big stage in Athens, Antony found himself stifled by a relentless Chelsea side and in particular, by the tenacious defending of Marc Cucurella.
Chelsea fell behind early on, but they quickly turned the tide. After conceding the opener, Enzo Fernández levelled the scoreline and from then on, Chelsea took complete control. For Antony, the turning point was that equaliser. He admitted that once the score was level, Real Betis struggled to adapt and lost their shape.
“I tried my best to get to Chelsea’s defence, but it was really difficult for me to penetrate,” Antony said after the match. “Chelsea played well and got their goal by Enzo Fernández, which makes me angry. After that, our game plan changed, and it became difficult for us to understand what to do next. It’s a final and if you can’t hold on to your goals, you will suffer.”
Antony was particularly frustrated with the defensive efforts of Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella, who was a constant thorn in his side throughout the match. Known for his energy, speed, and positional awareness, Cucurella did not allow Antony any space to operate freely. The Brazilian openly acknowledged the Spaniard’s performance, saying, “I have no words to say, but for real, Cucurella really makes it difficult for me to penetrate. He’s too good for me to handle.”
Antony, who has faced harsh criticism for his performances at Manchester United since his big-money move from Ajax, was beginning to rebuild his confidence and reputation during his loan spell in Spain. Yet, on a night when he hoped to make a major statement, he found himself neutralized and frustrated.
The match also raised questions about Antony’s future. With uncertainty looming over his return to Manchester United, the winger hinted that he would be open to continuing at Real Betis if the opportunity arises.
“I’m not sure about my return to United,” he said. “But I enjoy my time here and will be glad to continue here at Real Betis.”
The final served as a reminder that while Antony possesses talent and flair, he still struggles when matched against disciplined and high-intensity defenders. Marc Cucurella’s dominant display exemplified the kind of challenge Antony must consistently overcome to succeed at the highest level.
As Chelsea lifted the trophy, Real Betis were left to reflect on what could have been. For Antony, it was a night of personal and collective disappointment one that underlined both how far he has come and how far he still has to go to reclaim his best form on the European stage.
