Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has said that the team owed their fans to reach the Conference League final, after the victory over Fiorentina in the semi-final. Los Verdiblancos took the winner in extra time via EZ Abde to level the score on 2-2 on the night and to take the draw 4-3 in general.
It is a first European final in the history of Betis, and they will be confronted with Chelsea in Wroclaw, Poland in the final on 28 May. Wild celebrations followed during the last whistle, with legend Joaquin Sanchez present to help them, and overcome Betis players with emotion. Upon arrival in Andalusia, they greeted thousands of fans at the Feria de Abril parties.
Pellegrini told Cadena Cope that the reaction of the fans of recent times made an impression on the team. After they returned from a goal against Espanyol last weekend, they received an incredibly welcome from the fans on arrival in Seville.
“We are very happy because we feel a bit of a responsibility, with what the fans have given us, arriving at two o'clock in the morning with 3000 people and also the atmosphere we saw in Seville. We owed that final to the Betis fans, and we devote it to them with great affection.
One of the most emotional on the last whistle was Brazilian winger Antony, who has become a hero with the Benito Villamarin since he was on loan from Manchester United. After scoring in the first stage, he was decisive again, he scored a brilliant free kick and setting up Abde for the winner in extra time.
“Antony is a unique player who contributes a lot, and we will see what happens in the future. I don't doubt that he will do everything he can do to stay. For now we have to enjoy today; tomorrow is about training, try to reach the Champions League, beat Osasuna at home, and we have time to talk about the final after the end of La Liga.”
It is the question that has been central in recent months in a lot of conversation. Before the game, President Angel Haro confirmed that they would do this, but it would depend on United's attitude. Earlier, Sporting Director Manu Fajardo confirmed that they are talking to the Red Devils about the future of Antony.
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