Unai Emery knows where his team stand in European football.
Unai Emery knows where his team stand in European football.

'Hopeful' Valencia know they are not favourites in Europa League



Unai Emery, the Valencia manager, has played down his team's chances of winning the Europa League ahead of the first leg of their last-16 clash against PSV Eindhoven Thursday night.

Los Che dropped into the competition they won in 2004, when it was called the Uefa Cup, after finishing third in their Champions League group and comfortably saw off Stoke City in the previous round.

But Emery said the English sides, Manchester City and Manchester United, rank ahead of Valencia because of their resources and preferred to describe his side as hopefuls.

He told a news conference on Wednesday: "That is an adjective that is more befitting of us than favourites, because we have the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City in the competition.

"We aspire to beat them, but calling ourselves favourites would be a step beyond that. We don't say this out of fear, but rather because of the large economic differences in our respective budgets."

PSV, the Uefa Cup winners in 1978, should provide stiff opposition for the Spaniards and will go into the match with something to prove after their 6-2 home loss to Twente in the Eredivisie last weekend.

But the Dutch team must create history if they are to triumph at the Mestalla having never won in Spain while Valencia are unbeaten at home against sides from Holland.

PSV have been excellent in Europe this season, though, and have not lost in their last 11 continental matches, winning eight.

Meanwhile, Thibaut Courtois is confident Atletico Madrid can deny Besiktas a first win on Spanish soil despite their poor recent form.

Atletico come into the Europa League last-16 first leg without a win in five Primera Liga games.

"We know at Besiktas' stadium it will be very difficult so we have to win the first leg," said the goalkeeper.

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

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THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Director: Sree Narayan Singh
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Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

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Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk 

Stars:  Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

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