For Sebastien Bassong, today's archetypal Premier League encounter with Everton is of far more importance than last Wednesday's glamorous encounter with Inter Milan, or indeed the prospect of Tottenham Hotspur taking on the Italian aristocrats again at White Hart Lane a week on Wednesday.
It might sound a bit downbeat, but the 24-year-old defender's assessment of Tottenham's priorities are pragmatic.
There will be little point in Spurs going on a high-octane ride in the Champions League but then falling off the roller coaster and seeing their bid to qualify again for Europe's premier club derailed. After losing to Wigan Athletic just days after thrashing Young Boys, from Switzerland, in August, Spurs cannot afford another hangover after a heady European night.
"It is wonderful for us to be involved in special games against a team like Inter, who having won the Champions League and the Italian title, must be regarded as one of the best - if not the best - team in Europe if not the world right now," said Bassong, who played in the 4-3 defeat to Inter at the San Siro on Wednesday night. "That is all part of what qualifying for the Champions League was about in the first place."
But the main goal for Spurs this season, he said, is to again finish in the top four in the Premier League.
"It was a great achievement to do that last season and it is where we want to be again this season," he said. "That is what gets you into the Champions League after. The Champions League is a fantastic experience for everyone - the players, the fans, everyone around the club.
"But we mustn't forget the main thing is to finish [in the top four]. That is the main target because you start to establish yourself as a big club on a regular basis."
Spurs clinched a place in Europe's top competition for the first time in 48 years by beating Manchester City in their penultimate league game last season.
But Manchester City's rapid improvement means the challenge for Spurs to repeat that feat could be a tougher assignment, especially with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United also battling to secure top-four positions.
"Last year it was very tough to make the top four but we did it. This year though it may be even tougher," Bassong said. "After our next game against Inter we will be able to see where we are in terms of Europe.
"Hopefully we can qualify for the knockout games. Then anything can happen I suppose. But we are not thinking about winning the Champions League to be honest. We are just thinking about each game when it comes along, enjoying it and learning.
"It is hard when it is your first season in this competition. There has to be a big adjustment and it's true that so far we have suffered a bit in [Premier League] games that have come straight after. As players we have to learn to adjust. This is what we must do."
Bassong will play a crucial part in that process. With Ledley King's knees continuing to deteriorate, Jonathan Woodgate no nearer a comeback, Michael Dawson out with an injury and William Gallas displaying the erratic form that deemed him surplus to requirements at Chelsea and then Arsenal, Bassong has emerged as the mainstay of the Tottenham defence.
The £8 million (Dh46m) Tottenham paid Newcastle for his services at the start of last season has turned out to be one of their shrewder pieces of business. Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, knew Bassong had pedigree. The 24-year-old was a graduate of the Clarefontaine Academy in France - a finishing school for young players who live in and around Paris, to hone their talents between the ages of 13 and 16 - and then was immediately signed by Metz where he made 79 appearances.
"It [Clarefontaine Academy] is a very good place to help you improve as a players before moving onto the Academy of as professional club," Bassong said.
Born in Paris and having represented the France Under 21 team, Bassong was expected to graduate to the national team. However, he chose to represent Cameroon.
"I grew up in the north of Paris only 10 minutes from the Stade de France and when I left the house I had a French education and being part of the Clarefontaine I just progressed into the France under 21 team," Bassong said.
"But both my parents came from Cameroon and when I was indoors they made sure they gave me a Cameroonian education. I learned a lot about the culture and history of the country.
"So when it was hard to break into the France senior team and I had the opportunity to play for the Cameroon, I made a decision with heart."
Earlier in the week Bassong offered his time to join one of Tottenham's community projects, helping with the education of local school children.
He has clearly integrated himself into life in England, having spent a year in the north-east with Newcastle and now 15 months in London with Spurs.
"Some foreign players might find coming to England a bit of a culture shock but not me," Bassong said. "In fact I found Newcastle very similar to Metz in many ways. A small city where everything is close. The only thing that surprised me was how big the link was between the fans and the club.
"As for London, well, as a Parisian I find many things similar ... but not the traffic. I do like visiting the middle of the city but sometimes it's just impossible so I shut myself away at home with my family. That way I can relax. I hate the traffic."
sports@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Race card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m
9.25pm: Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
10.35pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm: Shahm, 7.05pm: Well Of Wisdom, 7.40pm: Lucius Tiberius, 8.15pm: Captain Von Trapp, 8.50pm: Secret Advisor, 9.25pm: George Villiers, 10pm: American Graffiti, 10.35pm: On The Warpath
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Meydan race card
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; (D) 1,200m
7.40pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (D) 1,900m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh185,000; (D) 2,000m
8.50pm: Handicap; Dh185,000; (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; (D) 2,000m
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
Day 1, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dimuth Karunaratne had batted with plenty of pluck, and no little skill, in getting to within seven runs of a first-day century. Then, while he ran what he thought was a comfortable single to mid-on, his batting partner Dinesh Chandimal opted to stay at home. The opener was run out by the length of the pitch.
Stat of the day - 1 One six was hit on Day 1. The boundary was only breached 18 times in total over the course of the 90 overs. When it did arrive, the lone six was a thing of beauty, as Niroshan Dickwella effortlessly clipped Mohammed Amir over the square-leg boundary.
The verdict Three wickets down at lunch, on a featherbed wicket having won the toss, and Sri Lanka’s fragile confidence must have been waning. Then Karunaratne and Chandimal's alliance of precisely 100 gave them a foothold in the match. Dickwella’s free-spirited strokeplay meant the Sri Lankans were handily placed at 227 for four at the close.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari
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Book%20Details
%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EThree%20Centuries%20of%20Travel%20Writing%20by%20Muslim%20Women%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EEditors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiobhan%20Lambert-Hurley%2C%20Daniel%20Majchrowicz%2C%20Sunil%20Sharma%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EIndiana%20University%20Press%3B%20532%20pages%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Test series fixtures
(All matches start at 2pm UAE)
1st Test Lord's, London from Thursday to Monday
2nd Test Nottingham from July 14-18
3rd Test The Oval, London from July 27-31
4th Test Manchester from August 4-8
