Once an emblematic figurehead of Manchester City’s rise to the summit of English football, Joe Hart found himself suddenly and very publicly demoted when City’s new manager Pep Guardiola took over in the summer. “I did not have a lot options,” Hart said. He could remain at City as an understudy to the arriving Claudio Bravo. Or he could try something different.
A first for Serie A
The most attractive of his offers came from Italy. Torino, ambitious to challenge for a European qualifying position, suggested taking Hart, who turns 30, on a year-long loan. In September, he became the first English goalkeeper to appear in Italy’s top division.
Mihajlovic the bold
For Torino’s manager, Sinisa Mihajlovic, Guardiola’s declaration that Hart did not meet his desire for a keeper with precise passing ability with his feet seemed unimportant. He liked Hart’s shot-stopping and natural authority. The Serbian coach is making a habit of bold decisions with goalkeepers. Last season, while he was in charge at AC Milan, Mihajlovic promoted 16-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma to the first team. Donnarumma has made the spot his own.
Teething troubles
Hart, a Premier League winner twice with City and still England’s first-choice keeper, with 67 caps, made his first appearance away at Atalanta, a defeat in which a fumbled failure to catch a high ball contributed to a defeat. But successive clean sheets followed and some excellent saves in a win over Roma began a fine run of form for keeper and team. Torino sat seventh in the table going into this weekend.
Gigi and Joe
And this weekend, for Torino fans, is the big weekend of the domestic season so far. They meet Juventus, city rivals, reigning champions and Serie A pacesetters. The respective goalkeepers go back. Juve captain Gigi Buffon has spoken of his admiration for Hart. Hart has named Buffon as a role model. The enduring Italian No 1, who has 100 more caps than his English counterpart, was the victor when the two were involved a penalty shoot-out for a place in the semi-final of Euro 2012. They were on opposite sides last season when Juve twice beat Hart’s City in the Uefa Champions League group phase.
Turin test
No question about the favourites tomorrow. Juventus have won all but one of their last 10 meetings with their neighbours. And – Hart take heed – no Torino goalkeeper has kept a clean sheet in the derby since February 2008.
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Kill
Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Starring: Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, Ashish Vidyarthi, Harsh Chhaya, Raghav Juyal
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 190hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 10.9L/100km
Price: From Dh119,900
On sale: Now
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
Company Profile
Name: Raha
Started: 2022
Based: Kuwait/Saudi
Industry: Tech Logistics
Funding: $14 million
Investors: Soor Capital, eWTP Arabia Capital, Aujan Enterprises, Nox Management, Cedar Mundi Ventures
Number of employees: 166
MATHC INFO
England 19 (Try: Tuilagi; Cons: Farrell; Pens: Ford (4)
New Zealand 7 (Try: Savea; Con: Mo'unga)
if you go
The flights
Fly direct to Kutaisi with Flydubai from Dh925 return, including taxes. The flight takes 3.5 hours. From there, Svaneti is a four-hour drive. The driving time from Tbilisi is eight hours.
The trip
The cost of the Svaneti trip is US$2,000 (Dh7,345) for 10 days, including food, guiding, accommodation and transfers from and to Tbilisi or Kutaisi. This summer the TCT is also offering a 5-day hike in Armenia for $1,200 (Dh4,407) per person. For further information, visit www.transcaucasiantrail.org/en/hike/
