Betis boost as Antony eyes Bernabéu return against Real Madrid
The Brazilian winger returns to training after muscle fatigue concerns, giving Pellegrini a selection boost ahead of Sunday's tough La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Betis receive timely fitness boost as key man returns to training ahead of daunting Madrid trip.
Antony back in the fold
Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis squad has received a significant boost with Brazilian winger Antony returning to full training on Friday at the Luis del Sol training complex. The crafty wide-man had missed the final session of 2025 due to muscle fatigue concerns, but his participation in today’s workout suggests he’s ready to feature against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday.
The timing couldn’t be better for the Verdiblancos, who’ll need all hands on deck for their first fixture of 2026. Antony completed the entire training session without issues and, barring any last-minute setbacks, looks set to claim his spot in Pellegrini’s starting XI for the challenging away day in the Spanish capital.
Injury updates and absentees
It’s not all rosy in the Betis camp, however. While Diego Llorente and Junior continued their recovery process by participating in another full session, there are several notable absentees:
- Isco Alarcón remains sidelined after undergoing ankle arthroscopy surgery in Madrid on Monday, with no definitive return date set
- Three key internationals - Abde, Amrabat, and Bakambu - are unavailable as they continue representing their nations at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco
Travel plans and busy schedule ahead
The Betis squad will train behind closed doors on Saturday morning at 11:15, after which Pellegrini will hold his pre-match press conference. The team will then travel to Madrid by high-speed train in the afternoon, where they’ll prepare for Sunday’s clash.
This match kicks off what promises to be an absolutely manic January for Betis, with a fixture list that would make your barnet go grey. The Seville outfit face:
- Four La Liga matches against Real Madrid, Oviedo, Villarreal and Alavés
- Two Europa League fixtures against PAOK and Feyenoord
- A Copa del Rey round of 16 tie, with the draw set for next week