Antony’s Real Betis Provides The Soundtrack To La Liga 2024/25

To many on the outside, Real Betis is worth discussing for one reason: Antony, the brilliance back in his game, is blossoming there after two-and-a-half years of struggle with Manchester United.

Alongside unearthing such a gem from the Premier League, Betis is targeting a historic season. This year, fifth place in La Liga is enough to make the Champions League next term, and Betis—away from the competition for 20 years—is one of the sides in the hunt. It could also end the term with European silverware; it’s an outside bet to win the Conference League, where Chelsea appears the favorite at the semifinal stage.

How have Los Verdiblancos got here? Beyond having an experienced, learned coach in Manuel Pellegrini, the side’s transfer policy warrants attention. The squad comprises stars whose days with grander—in inverted commas—clubs are over: Isco, Marc Bartra, Marc Roca, Giovanni Lo Celso, Hector Bellerín, etc. And players stepping up a level: Romain Perraud, signed from Southampton, and Cucho Hernández, taken from Columbus Crew, to name two.

Betis has not shone brightest statistically, although former Real Madrid playmaker Isco has set up more shots on goal per 90 minutes (6.72) than anyone else, according to FBref. At the other end of the field, the same number crunchers say center-back Natan has tackled 87.5% of dribblers—joint best with Villarreal’s Logan Costa.

By and large, it’s an exciting team moving in the right direction. That’s in stark contrast to local rival Sevilla—financially stricken and mismanaged from the top, its latest move to hire coach Joaquín Caparrós for a fourth stint in charge. From a Betis persuasion, the highlight from this season will be the 2-1 home victory over Sevilla, its first Gran Derbi success in eight years.

That night especially, and during each home match at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, the team’s hymn, up there with the most stirring on the continent, is an experience to behold, the opening lines chanted by local supporters in heavily accented Andalusian Spanish.

Aquí estamos todos para cantarte tu canción

We’re all here to sing your (the players’) song

Estamos apiñados como balas de cañón

We’re all packed together like cannonballs

y es que no hay quien pueda con esta afición

The thing is, nobody can handle this (our) support

y aunque último estuvieras siempre te ven campeón.

And even if you were last-placed, you’re always seen as a champion

Those lyrics may serve as the soundtrack to this La Liga campaign. As swashbuckling as probable champion Barcelona has been, a few names from the pack below the elite bracket have impressed, too. Athletic Club has competed hard, while small-town Villarreal’s model, with a solid academy and recruitment, is paying dividends again. Mallorca has overachieved under its U.S. owners.

Going for gold on the home stretch, Betis is, as it stands, another on the list. With the decisive fixtures still to contest, perhaps the best is yet to come.