CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM // Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon magnanimously conceded Real Madrid’s superior ability had made the difference after his side crashed to a 4-1 defeat in Saturday’s Uefa Champions League final in Cardiff.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Madrid overwhelmed Juventus at the Principality Stadium to become the first team to retain the European Cup since AC Milan in 1990.
Italy great Buffon, 39, has now lost in three Champions League finals, after previous disappointments in 2003 and 2015, while Juve have lost in their last five European Cup finals, taking their tally of runner-up finishes to seven.
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Read more
■ Reaction: Ronaldo feels 'like a young boy' after leading Real Madrid to title
■ In pictures: Real Madrid beat Juventus to defend Uefa Champions League title
■ Gareth Bale: Winning Uefa Champions League in Cardiff a 'dream come true'
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“We are disappointed,” goalkeeper Buffon said in comments published on the website of European governing body Uefa. “We played very well in the first half. We thought we had enough to win the game. I cannot explain why we played like we did in the second half.
“Real Madrid deserved to win in the second half. They showed their class and the attitude needed to play in this kind of game.”
Ronaldo’s 20th-minute opener was cancelled out by a stupendous Mario Mandzukic goal, the Croatian chesting down Gonzalo Higuain’s volleyed lay-off and arcing a sublime volley over Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
But Casemiro restored Madrid’s lead just beyond the hour and further strikes from Ronaldo and substitute Marco Asensio sealed victory for Zinedine Zidane’s side, European champions in three of the last four seasons.
“In the first half we played beautifully. In the second half we were too static,” beaten manager Massimiliano Allegri told his post-match press conference.
“We managed to defend for 15 minutes. As you know, football can be a nightmare. [Miralem] Pjanic’s shot was deflected wide, Casemiro’s shot was deflected into the goal.
“We knew we were playing a really strong team. In the run-up to the final, it sounded like Juventus were favourites and were playing a team who’d reached the final by chance.
“The truth is that Real Madrid have many important players. If somebody wins the Ballon d’Or and scores so many goals, obviously it’s a big advantage.
“The only criticism I could make is that after conceding the second goal, we should have stayed in the game.”
Juve had been bidding to complete a treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League successes and Allegri said they could still reflect on their season with pride.
“Let me congratulate my boys for what they’ve done this season,” said Allegri, whose side were beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in the 2015 final in Berlin.
“It’s been an extraordinary season. We won Serie A and the Coppa Italia and reached the Champions League final. I have to thank them. It’s important to reach finals. Unluckily, we didn’t win it.”
Allegri also spared a thought for the around 200 people who were injured when a bomb scare triggered panic among Juve fans watching the game on a big screen in the centre of Turin.
“We feel for what happened to the fans in Turin,” he said.
“We hope not too many people were injured and we hope they get better soon.”
* Agence France-Presse
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
Summer special
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
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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.
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
RESULT
Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2
Arsenal: Aubameyang (13')
Chelsea: Jorginho (83'), Abraham (87')
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Five personal finance podcasts from The National
To help you get started, tune into these Pocketful of Dirham episodes
·
Balance is essential to happiness, health and wealth
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What is a portfolio stress test?
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What are NFTs and why are auction houses interested?
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How gamers are getting rich by earning cryptocurrencies
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Should you buy or rent a home in the UAE?
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
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SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
