Betis vs Porto: Antony Is in the Champions League Squad

TVS News AI, editorially supervised, presents Betis vs Porto: Antony Is in the Champions League Squad.

If you thought Antony had missed the Champions League – think again. The Brazilian is in Real Betis' 24-man squad for the home match on Wednesday evening (9pm) against FC Porto. Three days earlier, he had come off during the league game against Osasuna with muscular complaints; the alarm bells manager Manuel Pellegrini had sounded after the match have faded with the hours, according to radio station Radio Sevilla.

The match at La Cartuja is also Betis' return to the premier competition. Pellegrini published the list on Tuesday – and Antony is, at first glance, the most eye-catching name on it. 24 players are at his disposal, an unusually large selection for European competitions. What that means for you: Pellegrini is keeping all tactical options open.

What you need to know about the situation

Real Betis host FC Porto at 9pm on Wednesday at La Cartuja – it is the Andalusians' first Champions League appearance after a break. The manager remains Manuel Pellegrini, whose side had played Osasuna in the league just on Sunday. That the competition is a different calibre for them is already clear from the opposition: FC Porto has been a regular fixture in the Champions League for years.

Antony is back in the squad – the starting XI is open

What is clear: Pellegrini has named Antony. What is unclear is whether the Brazilian will be on the pitch from the first minute against Porto. Against Osasuna he had been dropped from the starting lineup – ABC.es reports that Riquelme moved into the starting eleven in his place. The reason was precisely those muscular issues.

Three days later, the picture looks different. At Tuesday's training session Antony was able to take part without discomfort, El Correo Web reports. The complaints that had worried Pellegrini on Sunday are easing, according to Radio Sevilla. Antony is back on the squad list – that is the state of play as of Tuesday evening.

What that means: if you are waiting for the lineup images shortly before kickoff, you now know the door to a starting spot is open again. It is equally possible that Pellegrini keeps him on the bench and brings him on in measured doses – given such an important match and the short turnaround.

Ceballos as the second big name

While there is plenty of talk about Antony, El Correo Web has highlighted a second name: Dani Ceballos. The midfielder is emerging as one of the most notable additions to the squad, suggesting he could see significantly more minutes against Porto than recently.

The 24-man squad at a glance

Pellegrini has 24 players at his disposal, according to ABC.es:

Valles, Bellerín, Llorente, Natan, Bartra, Bernal, Antony, Fornals, Cucho, Abde, Fran García, Ángel Ortiz, Diego Conde, Fidalgo, Valentín Gómez, Riquelme, Deossa, Parrott, Lo Celso, Marc Roca, Isco, Ceballos, Morante and Manu.

Worth noting: with Isco, Lo Celso and Ceballos, Pellegrini has named three creative midfielders – a hint that he wants to keep tactical variants open for the match. Out wide, Antony, Fornals, Abde and Riquelme are the options.

What this means for Wednesday evening

If you have one of the rare tickets for La Cartuja or are following the game via stream, expect Antony to be on the pitch at some point – whether from the start or off the bench is Pellegrini's call on matchday.

The squad size of 24 players is a signal: this will be no cautious sizing-up. Pellegrini is taking the entire midfield, all the wide players, plus the attacking options Cucho, Parrott and Abde. Betis want to make the most of their Champions League opener – and the gateway to La Cartuja is flung wide open from 9pm.