Caught in possession close to the halfway line, Real Sociedad centre-back Nayef Aguerd could only look on in frustration as Sevilla captain Saul Niguez's interception led to Chidera Ejuke curling home the only goal of the game on Monday night.
It can be considered a rare blemish from the Moroccan defender, who has been one of the few highlights for Real Sociedad in what has been a tough season for the Basque side.
After returning to Uefa Champions League football last season following a nine-year absence, Sociedad's hopes of securing another top-four finish this time round are already all but over.
La Real are currently down in 11th in the table, 15 points behind Basque neighbours Athletic Club in fourth and finding goals hard to come by, with Imanol Alguacil's side having the third worst scoring record in La Liga, notching just 23 times in 27 games.
Losing players like centre-back Robin Le Normand, to Atletico Madrid, and midfielder Mikel Merino, to Arsenal, was a big blow, but they remain strong defensively, conceding 28 goals – with only five clubs having better records.
Aguerd, a summer loan signing from Premier League side West Ham United, has been central to that defensive meanness, with his efforts not only helping prevent Sociedad falling further down the standings but also catching the eye of other European sides.
The 28-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements at the London club by then manager Julen Lopetegui – a former coach at Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid and Sevilla, as well as the Spanish national team – and was allowed to complete a switch to San Sebastian.
“I had the dream of playing in La Liga and wanted to learn Spanish to be prepared for when the opportunity came,” said Aguerd after joining in August.
“That’s why I started studying a few years ago, at 23 or 24, and it has served me well. La Liga is widely followed in Morocco, and I wanted to fulfil that dream since I was young; I am happy to have made it a reality.”
It was during a two-year spell at Ligue 1 club Rennes that the 53-times capped Atlas Lions defender established himself as one to watch with his form catching the eye of West Ham.
Then Hammers manager David Moyes, who spent a year as coach at Sociedad in 2014-15, was a long-term admirer and the club agreed to pay £30 million in 2022 to secure his services, a fee that remains the ninth highest in West Ham's history.
Despite impressing for his country as Morocco went on a historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Aguerd struggled to reproduce the same form in England, and adapt to the tempo of the Premier League.
Aguerd, though, was still in the starting XI as West Ham beat Fiorentina in the 2023 Europa Conference League final to help secure their first trophy in 43 years.
But after making 58 appearances for the Hammers, he decided the time was right for a fresh start. Real Sociedad coach Alguacil had personally contacted Aguerd to convince him of the loan move to La Liga, explaining how he could help the player rediscover his best form.
Having lost star centre-back Le Normand over the summer, La Real needed a short-term replacement to provide some experience alongside promising young defenders Jon Pacheco (23) and Jon Martin (18) who are central to the club’s long-term plans.
Aguerd’s performances have proved to be so impressive that he is now not only guaranteed a starting place, but Spanish media outlets have reported that European big hitters such as Real Madrid and Manchester United are taking an interest.
In the 20 league matches Aguerd has started, La Real have conceded just 15 goals, while in the three games he has missed, they conceded nine.
Sociedad are the fourth best team in the league in terms of possession, with Aguerd's comfort on the ball and ability to play out from the back proving perfect for Alguacil's style of play
Unfortunately for La Real, his performances mean any hope of securing his services on a permanent basis are likely to be out of reach financially with West Ham also reportedly open to his return.
Aguerd heads back to England on Thursday as Sociedad face Manchester United at Old Trafford with their Europa League last-16 tie on a knife edge after the first leg finished 1-1.
The match provides him with the perfect stage to dispel the idea that he lacks the attributes to cope with playing in England.
Read more about the coronavirus
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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Tips for SMEs to cope
- Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
- Make sure you have an online presence
- Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
- Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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How to donate
Text the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
6025 - Dh 20
2252 - Dh 50
2208 - Dh 100
6020 - Dh 200
*numbers work for both Etisalat and du
THREE
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Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
The years Ramadan fell in May
The years Ramadan fell in May
Champions parade (UAE timings)
7pm Gates open
8pm Deansgate stage showing starts
9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral
9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street
10pm City players on stage
11pm event ends
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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