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.
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
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Tour de France
When: July 7-29
UAE Team Emirates:
Dan Martin, Alexander Kristoff, Darwin Atapuma, Marco Marcato, Kristijan Durasek, Oliviero Troia, Roberto Ferrari and Rory Sutherland
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The five pillars of Islam
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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
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
