Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick says he trusts their high line defence and will resist making changes to contain Paris Saint-Germain forwards Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in Sunday's Champions League final.
Forward Robert Lewandowski – with 55 goals this season – and midfielders Philippe Coutinho and Serge Gnabry were among the stars preparing for the big match in Lisbon with a final training session.
"In our games over the last 10 months we've always tried to impose our style on the opposition," Flick said, with treble-chasing Bayern on a 20-match winning run.
"We've always played with a high line and ultimately we've got results doing that, so we won't change too much.
"We don't want to give too much space to the opposition.
"What's important is we can press the opposition when we are in possession and make sure we cover the ground."
Bayern have powered into the Lisbon final by scoring 42 goals in 10 European matches.
However, they nearly came unstuck early in Wednesday's semi-final against Lyon as the French side found plenty of space to attack behind Bayern's back four.
Joshua Kimmich is tipped to switch from midfield to right-back, potentially tasked with keeping Neymar and Mbappe away from Bayern's goal.
Flick hinted at changes to his starting line-up after substitutes Coutinho and Kingsley Coman impressed against Lyon.
"When they came off the bench, Kingsley and Philippe showed they can strengthen the side," he said.
"It's our third game in quick succession, so we need to look at the players' fitness levels."
Having won the Bundesliga and lifted the German Cup, Bayern are chasing the treble under Flick, who took over from Niko Kovac in November.
Bayern shook up European football with an 8-2 demolition of Spanish giants Barcelona in the quarter-finals and are in confident mood for Sunday's final.
"If we are able to produce our best performance, if we are all at 100 per cent, we will be able to win," said Flick.
It's up to you to go green
Nils El Accad, chief executive and owner of Organic Foods and Café, says going green is about “lifestyle and attitude” rather than a “money change”; people need to plan ahead to fill water bottles in advance and take their own bags to the supermarket, he says.
“People always want someone else to do the work; it doesn’t work like that,” he adds. “The first step: you have to consciously make that decision and change.”
When he gets a takeaway, says Mr El Accad, he takes his own glass jars instead of accepting disposable aluminium containers, paper napkins and plastic tubs, cutlery and bags from restaurants.
He also plants his own crops and herbs at home and at the Sheikh Zayed store, from basil and rosemary to beans, squashes and papayas. “If you’re going to water anything, better it be tomatoes and cucumbers, something edible, than grass,” he says.
“All this throwaway plastic - cups, bottles, forks - has to go first,” says Mr El Accad, who has banned all disposable straws, whether plastic or even paper, from the café chain.
One of the latest changes he has implemented at his stores is to offer refills of liquid laundry detergent, to save plastic. The two brands Organic Foods stocks, Organic Larder and Sonnett, are both “triple-certified - you could eat the product”.
The Organic Larder detergent will soon be delivered in 200-litre metal oil drums before being decanted into 20-litre containers in-store.
Customers can refill their bottles at least 30 times before they start to degrade, he says. Organic Larder costs Dh35.75 for one litre and Dh62 for 2.75 litres and refills will cost 15 to 20 per cent less, Mr El Accad says.
But while there are savings to be had, going green tends to come with upfront costs and extra work and planning. Are we ready to refill bottles rather than throw them away? “You have to change,” says Mr El Accad. “I can only make it available.”
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
