Antony and De Gea - a historic clash

Antony helped Real Betis reach the semi-finals of a European cup competition for the first time.

The two played alongside each other at Old Trafford during the 2022/23 season, but they will now stand on opposite sides, determined to lead their teams to the final in Wroclaw, Poland on May 29th.

Whose name will history call?

Real Betis secured their place in the semi-finals after drawing 1-1 (3-1 on aggregate) with Jagiellonian Białystok in the second leg of the quarter-final in Poland.

This is the first time in history that the Andalusian team has reached the semi-finals of a European cup competition, marking a significant milestone for Betis under the leadership of coach Manuel Pellegrini.

Fiorentina, meanwhile, also endured a tough second leg quarter-final, drawing 2-2 at home against Celje. However, their 2-1 victory in the first leg in Slovenia secured them a place in the semi-finals with an aggregate score of 4-3. This marks the third consecutive season Fiorentina has reached the Conference League semi-finals – a record unprecedented in the tournament's history.

Driven by a desire to end their decades-long European title drought, the Viola are determined to win. The match between Betis and Fiorentina is considered the most evenly matched contest in this season's Conference League semi-finals.

Meanwhile, the other semi-final match between Chelsea and Djurgarden seems to favor the English team. With their superior squad, Chelsea are predicted to easily overcome the Swedish side to secure a place in the final, where they will face either Betis or Fiorentina.

The final at Wroclaw Stadium promises to be a stage for historic moments, because apart from Chelsea, all the mid-table European teams consider the Conference League a crucial title.

Therefore, the clash between Betis or Fiorentina holds special significance for Antony and De Gea. From being teammates at Manchester United, they are now rivals, each bearing the responsibility of leading their team to make history.

De Gea is thriving with Fiorentina.

Betis, with Antony in top form, will face a solid defense led by De Gea. Both are enjoying a dream period after a rather difficult time at Manchester United.

Two heroes

Antony and David de Gea were once at the center of controversies regarding their form at Old Trafford.

Before moving to Betis on loan this season, Antony played four matches for Manchester United in the Europa League. After dropping down to the Conference League, he became a key player for Betis, appearing in six games and playing a crucial role in the La Liga side's style of play.

Betis have thrived since Antony joined the team. And if Betis win the Conference League, while Manchester United lift the Europa League trophy, Antony could become the first player in history to win two European club titles in the same season.

For Betis, it's surprising that this is only their first time reaching the semi-finals of a European cup competition. After years of being overshadowed by Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico, or even Bilbao, Sevilla, and Villarreal, Betis is building its own legacy in Europe. Antony has played a crucial role in that success.

On the opposite side, David de Gea is a solid wall in Fiorentina's goal. His team is unbeaten in 7 Conference League matches, demonstrating stability and composure.

De Gea, with his extensive experience from his years at Manchester United, is a key factor in helping the Serie A representatives harbor hopes of winning their first European title since the UEFA Winners Cup in 1961.

History awaits Antony and De Gea, even though in the end, only one former Manchester United player will enjoy the fruits of their labor. However, what this duo has achieved since leaving Old Trafford will remain etched in the memories of the fans for a long time.

Martinelli's goal sealed the victory for Arsenal. In the early hours of April 17th, Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 2-1 in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at the Bernabeu.

Source: https://znews.vn/antony-va-de-gea-cuoc-doi-dau-lich-su-post1546880.html