Q: Inter collapse or PSG masterclass? What’s your take?
@Rozario_11 via Instagram
A: It’s a little bit of both, but I would credit Paris Saint-Germain with delivering a tactical masterclass in last Saturday's Uefa Champions League final.
PSG, unlike in previous seasons, were the most balanced side in the competition. While their movement and fluidity in possession were impressive, it was their relentless work off the ball that ultimately secured them the coveted trophy.
Luis Enrique knew how to neutralise Inter's threats and expose their weaknesses. Club football’s biggest trophies are won when players are willing to sacrifice and work hard for one another.
Seeing top goalscorer Ousmane Dembele pressing Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer to force him into long balls made a huge difference.
Inter are an accomplished side in possession, but they were simply not permitted to rotate the ball and build opportunities. Every lane was blocked, and every player was tightly marked. Watch how Achraf Hakimi closed down passing lanes while PSG’s midfielders remained tight when marking opponents. When the first defensive pass broke down, Inter went into disarray.
PSG pressed and harried and forced mistakes. Once the Parisiens won back possession, it was wave after wave of clever attacks, designed to isolate and confuse the Nerazzurri backline.
Luis Enrique capitalised on the youth of the squad; they ran relentlessly, made 22 clearances, robbing Inter of control and time, and had 23 shots on goal.
Q: Do you think Luis Enrique’s PSG could create a similar legacy to Pep's Barca?
@Vermiciouskinid via Instagram
A: If there’s any coach who can create a winning legacy, it’s Luis Enrique. In my opinion, he’s the best coach in the world, at par with Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti. He’s been underrated for so long that it’s stupefying. Rarely have I heard his name mentioned when the debate on the best coaches in the world comes up.
Former Barcelona striker described Enrique as "the best coach I've ever had. For the personality he has, for what he transmits and for the sincerity he has."
Another former Barca alumnus, Lionel Messi, said: "I was lucky that I had a lot of time with Guardiola and Luis Enrique, the two best. Having them [for so long] made me grow a lot in football and in the tactical wisdom that they taught me."
Daniele De Rossi, a former Italy international and World Cup winner, recently hailed Enrique as "perhaps the coach who impressed me the most in my career".
PSG are lucky to have a coach who can produce the kind of football we’ve seen from PSG, especially in the second half of the season.
Armed with a young squad, a great sporting director in Luis Campos who can identify the best of talents, and with lots of money in the bank, the future looks incredible.
Rather than buying established talents, they brought in youth with great potential. The €50 million spent on Desire Doue from Rennes could turn out to be the deal of the century, while the purchase of Kvara Kvaratskhelia from Napoli made a huge difference to the team’s performance.
The squad was one of the youngest in the Champions League, and the average age of the starting XI in the final was 25 years. This is the beginning of what I imagine can be a glorious winning project.
Q: What’s gone wrong at Leicester City?
@_Jonfollows
A: Disjointed planning, poor results, and a breakdown in trust between fans and the club’s leadership all contributed to a toxic atmosphere and growing uncertainty about the future.
It was always going to be tough to lose Enzo Maresca, but I can't comprehend the thinking behind hiring Steve Cooper, spending money, and then sacking him after 12 games.
To then hire and stick with Ruud van Nistelrooy as they were hurtling towards relegation also seemed bizarre. The club didn’t know whether to stick or twist.
The side lacked midfield creativity and appeared tactically confused. Goals were especially hard to come by; the team failed to score in eight consecutive games. Under Van Nistelrooy, there didn’t appear to be a clear attacking strategy and the shape was often too rigid.
Players were second-guessing themselves on the pitch. Every move was overthought, every pass was played with hesitation.
There needs to be a squad overhaul, and the club must have a clear direction. They can’t just depend on a coach to bring it all together.
Q: AC Milan have confirmed Max Allegri as their new coach. I understand you’re a fan of his. What makes him so special?
@Iam_tim via Instagram
A: I am a fan of his because I’m a Juventus fan and under his guidance, Juventus became a force in Europe and won the double practically every season during his first stint as coach. I think he overachieved with the squad he had, considering Antonio Conte quit because he thought the club’s ambitions were too grand and almost delusional. Allegri arrived and they reached the Uefa Champions League final.
Creating a winning dynasty is difficult, but Allegri made it look easy. Even with the best squad in Italy, Inter couldn't win relentlessly, and yet Allegri’s Juve did. Always aiming for the treble.
He beat Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Uefa Champions League with Stefano Sturaro in midfield, a player with limited quality. He knows how to make players play with their heart, how to mask weaknesses and how to allow his best players the freedom to dictate.
He’s a practical coach; he doesn’t dazzle, but he wins. He creates a winning mentality and a harmonious atmosphere and knows how to keep it all together when a club doesn’t provide the necessary support.
He cannot produce the type of football Luis Enrique or Guardiola can. The beauty lies in his tactical simplicity. He never overcomplicates it.
Q: Who should win the Ballon d’Or this season? And who do you think will win it?
@Sasahsani via Instagram
A: There are so many candidates who have dazzled this season, from Mohamed Salah to Lamine Yamal and, of course, Dembele.
Dembele is the favourite. He has contributed 33 goals and 13 assists in 55 appearances for PSG this season. Not only did he win the quadruple with PSG but also the Uefa Champions League Player of the Season and Ligue 1 Player of the Year awards.
His performance in the Champions League final was mesmeric, sacrificing himself to help the team defend. His work off the ball has been as impressive as his offensive contributions. He proved to be a leader.
The Ballon d'Or should go to the team that has won the most trophies, and he is rightfully the favourite.
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UAE gold medallists:
Omar Al Suweidi (46kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (50kg), Khalifa Humaid Al Kaabi (60kg), Omar Al Fadhli (62kg), Mohammed Ali Al Suweidi (66kg), Omar Ahmed Al Hosani (73), all in the U18’s, and Khalid Eskandar Al Blooshi (56kg) in the U21s.
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Company%20Profile
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Genesis G80 2020 5.0-litre Royal Specs
Engine: 5-litre V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 505Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L/100km
Price: Dh260,500
Company profile
Name: Steppi
Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic
Launched: February 2020
Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year
Employees: Five
Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings
Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year
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.
Results
2pm: Serve U – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Violent Justice, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
2.30pm: Al Shafar Investment – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Desert Wisdom, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ahmed Al Shemaili
3pm: Commercial Bank of Dubai – Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Fawaareq, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
4pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Rakeez, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Al Redha Insurance Brokers – Handicap (TB) Dh78,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Capla Crusader, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly
Ad Astra
Director: James Gray
Stars: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones
Five out of five stars
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If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Wonder
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago Press
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
