Pellegrini links former Man Utd flop Antony’s goalless run to ‘excessive anxiety’

Real Betis brag Manuel Pellegrini has attributed Antony’s goalless commencement to the 2026-27 play to what helium described arsenic ‘excessive anxiety’, portion insisting that the Brazilian winger’s goals volition get arsenic helium continues to power matches elsewhere.

Pellegrini spoke connected Saturday up of Sunday’s La Liga fixture astatine Celta Vigo, offering his astir elaborate appraisal of the 25-year-old’s signifier since the play began.

‘I deliberation Antony is putting excessively overmuch unit connected himself close now,’ the Chilean manager said. ‘He is simply a subordinate who runs a large deal, wins the shot backmost and gets progressive successful galore moves. Perhaps owed to excessive anxiety, helium is missing that last walk oregon that interaction of quality.’

Real Betis news: the numbers down Antony’s hard start

The statistic bespeak a subordinate creating chances but failing to person them. Across 11 appearances this season, Antony has registered 44 shots — 15 connected people — portion missing 3 large chances and hitting the woodwork twice, according to Sofascore. His sole nonstop publication has been 1 assist. The instrumentality is starkly removed from his 2025-26 campaign, erstwhile helium scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists crossed 46 matches contempt playing done a pubitis occupation that required symptom alleviation to support him retired of the attraction country for the bulk of the season.

Pellegrini nevertheless stopped abbreviated of expressing immoderate doubt. ‘He is simply a subordinate who contributes a large woody to the team’s performance,’ the brag added. ‘The goals and those precise last passes volition come. He is precise alert of this and helium is trying to close and improve.’

Real Betis news: the Champions League flashpoint

The vexation Antony felt became disposable connected Wednesday erstwhile helium was substituted aft 64 minutes of the 1-0 Champions League triumph implicit Feyenoord. Unable to usage his velocity and dribbling connected the close flank arsenic efficaciously arsenic helium wanted, the erstwhile Manchester United winger threw his overgarment to the crushed connected the touchline earlier heading consecutive to the dressing room.

Pellegrini described the substitution arsenic a ‘tactical decision’ and noted that Antony returned to the seat soon afterwards to beryllium with his team-mates. The occurrence contrasted with the resilience the subordinate showed passim past season, erstwhile helium refused to halt playing contempt important carnal pain.

Betis person made a beardown commencement to the play with a 100 per cent Champions League grounds and 19 points from 9 La Liga matches. Antony’s signifier remains the 1 unfastened question for Pellegrini arsenic the run develops.