Real Betis suffered a 1-2 defeat against Deportivo Alaves at Mendizorroza on 25/1, a match that proved particularly frustrating for winger Antony. Substituted in the 59th minute following Alaves's second goal, the 25-year-old Brazilian displayed a visible outburst of anger.

Cameras captured him kicking clothes on the floor and aggressively throwing a pair of gloves. He was seen muttering with a scowling face as he rose from the bench, and in a striking moment, he covered his face, appearing on the verge of tears.

Antony's performance was notably subdued, a stark contrast to his usual dynamic play. He lacked impact on the field, failing to execute effective dribbles or create any significant breakthroughs. His substitution, alongside two other players, came immediately after the second half began with Alaves extending their lead to 2-0. His frustration seemed directed at his own poor display rather than his coach Manuel Pellegrini's decision.

The Brazilian winger had reportedly pushed through pain to play and support his teammates, as Betis faced severe squad limitations. Despite a persistent pubic bone issue, which had forced him to miss the mid-week Europa League trip against PAOK, Antony was determined not to miss the Alaves encounter and started the match. Spanish newspaper AS reported that this pubic bone injury is a significant barrier for Antony. The issue requires surgery for a complete resolution, which would likely mean missing the remainder of the season, a prospect he is currently trying to delay.

Throughout the match, Betis maintained more possession but struggled to break through Alaves's compact defense with sufficient pace or creativity. Their offensive efforts were largely limited to long-range shots, and a penalty appeal for Abde was denied by VAR. Alaves, battling to avoid relegation, fought with determination.

Coach Pellegrini's tactical changes proved ineffective, leading to more disjointed play from the visitors. Abde's late goal in injury time, which narrowed the score to 1-2, was insufficient to turn the tide. This defeat caused Betis to miss an opportunity to claim 5th place from Espanyol.

Ha Phuong (based on Marca and AS)