Following Real Madrid’s dramatic victory over Barcelona at the Camp Nou, we look at five lessons from el clasico.
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BARCELONA ARE BEATABLE
It has been 40 games and six months since Barca tasted defeat, but their defensive liabilities when faced with pace on the counter-attack were exposed as Madrid could have scored five times in the final half-hour after weathering a first-half storm from the European champions.
RONALDO SILENCES DOUBTERS
Cristiano Ronaldo extended his lead as the Primera Liga’s top scorer with his 43rd goal of the season and in the process silenced suggestions that he has not contributed enough in the biggest games so far this season. The Portuguese showed remarkable composure to take down Gareth Bale’s cross five minutes from time before slotting past Claudio Bravo for his 16th goal against Barca.
TIREDNESS COULD COST BARCA ANOTHER TREBLE
It was no coincidence that a rare off night for Barca’s star front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar came days after all three returned from South America on World Cup qualifying duties for their respective countries. The difference between Barca’s dominance before the break and Madrid’s physical power in the second-half was striking. Barca have already played 13 more games than Madrid this season and while they should still have enough of an advantage to seal the league title, fatigue could ultimately end their quest to become the first side to retain the Uefa Champions League.
ZIDANE PROVES HIS COACHING CREDENTIALS
On a night when Barca paid homage to the man with the rare ability to replicate his world class playing ability as a coach in Johan Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane showed the first signs of having the tactical nous to do likewise. Madrid were embarrassed 4-0 by Barca earlier in the season, but were far more balanced as Zidane made the brave decision to leave the more flamboyant James Rodriguez and Isco on the bench for the more defensive Casemiro in midfield. Moreover, his decision to defend deep and hit on the counter reaped huge rewards in both the visitors’ goals.
RAMOS A LIABILITY
Zidane may need to make another big decision soon as Madrid captain Sergio Ramos’s miserable season continued as he was sent-off for his second consecutive league game and the 21st time in his career. The Spain international was very lucky to escape a second booking as early as the 25th minute and should Raphael Varane be fit for Wednesday’s trip to Wolfsburg, a central defensive pairing of the French international and Pepe looks a far better option if Madrid are to go all the way in the Champions League.
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
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