Exclusive: Finidi George Praises Pellegrini’s Project and Antony’s Revival as Real Betis Reach First European Final

Former Real Betis winger Finidi George has praised Head Coach Manuel Pellegrini and Brazilian winger Antony for their roles in the club’s remarkable run to the 2024–2025 UEFA Europa Conference League final.

Real Betis will face Chelsea in the final, scheduled for Wednesday 28 May in Wroclaw, after overcoming a challenging semifinal tie against Italian side Fiorentina. 

Betis secured a narrow 2-1 victory in the first leg in Seville and staged a comeback from a goal down in the second leg to earn a 2-2 draw, progressing 4-3 on aggregate to their first-ever European final.

"I'm genuinely happy for Real Betis reaching the final. It's a testament to their progress over the past few seasons. The club has shown real stability, and that consistency is now paying off," George told SportsBoom.com. 

Anticipating a Thrilling Final

Chelsea advanced to the final after a dominant 5-1 aggregate win over Djurgarden, setting up an exciting showdown in Wroclaw.

"The final promises to be an exciting one. Both teams will believe they have a real shot at winning the trophy. It’ll be a tough match, with contrasting styles of play."

"It’s often hard to identify weaknesses in teams like these because they tend to mask them well through their tactical approach."

"Chelsea, as expected of an English side, play with pace and intensity, while Betis prefer the Spanish style — keeping possession and dictating the tempo."

"Both teams are strong going forward, but I’d love to see Betis lift the trophy. Chelsea have already had a lot of success in Europe, so it would be great for Betis to have their moment."

Pellegrini’s Impact and Champions League Ambitions

Under the leadership of Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini, Real Betis has achieved significant progress — with the Conference League final just one of their accomplishments this season. 

"The coach Manuel Pellegrini is doing a great job, which shows the club has backed him and given him time to build something — and now the results are coming through." 

Antony’s Resurgence in Seville

Another key figure in Betis’ success is Brazilian winger Antony. The 25-year-old joined the club on loan in January after struggling for form at Manchester United, where he scored just once all season despite an £85 million price tag. 

At Betis, however, Antony has rediscovered his spark, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 24 appearances across all competitions.

"Antony has been brilliant for Betis. He seems to have settled in well and adapted to the culture — maybe even feels more at home there."

"He’s currently on loan, so what happens after the season will depend on both the club and the player. If he wants to stay and Betis are interested, a conversation will definitely happen."

"But for now, the focus should be on the final. Antony is a key player, and helping Betis win the trophy should be the top priority. Once that’s done, they can sit down and decide on his future."