CARDIFF, United Kingdom // Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Monday that he will unleash his big guns, including new signings Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, in Tuesday’s UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla.
The two midfielders only started training on August 5 after starring at the World Cup -- Rodriguez for Colombia, Kroos for champions Germany -- but Ancelotti said that both would start the match in Cardiff.
Asked if the two players would feature from kick-off, Ancelotti replied: “Yes, they will both be in the line-up.”
Read more: Homecoming king Gareth Bale plots fresh conquests at Real Madrid
With Xabi Alonso suspended, Kroos is expected to partner Luka Modric in central midfield for the European champions, with Rodriguez playing at number 10.
Ancelotti said that reigning Ballon d’Or-winner Cristiano Ronaldo was also in line to feature despite struggling with a knee problem during the World Cup.
“Cristiano is well,” the Italian told a pre-game media conference at the Cardiff City Stadium.
“He has no problem. He’s worked with the others at maximum intensity and I believe he’s in good physical condition.
“He’s participated in everything and is ready to play this match. He’s facing this season with a positive spirit.”
Welsh forward Gareth Bale is also expected to start on his return to his home-town, although Ancelotti could not resist making a joke at the expense of the local media.
“I don’t know if he’s going to play, because everyone’s saying, ‘He’s back home, he’s back home,’” Ancelotti said.
“It could be strange if he starts on the bench!”
The arrivals of Kroos and Rodriguez have fuelled speculation about the futures of midfielders Sami Khedira and Angel di Maria, both of whom have been strongly linked with moves away from the club.
Ancelotti, however, was reluctant to be drawn on Madrid’s plans for the pair.
Asked about Di Maria, he replied: “This is an issue that we don’t need to talk about now, facing this match.
“What I can tell you is that we have trained for this match in order to play well and Angel has joined in the training. We’re lucky this topic has not come up in the changing room.
“He’s come very concentrated on this task and as far as his future’s concerned, we can’t tell how that will pan out. We must wait until August 31 (when the transfer window closes).”
On Khedira, the Madrid coach added: “Sami Khedira is a Real Madrid player because he has a contract that stops on June 30, 2015.
“So right now he is a Real Madrid player and he’s training to help Real Madrid win titles.”
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MATCH INFO
Wales 1 (Bale 45 3')
Croatia 1 (Vlasic 09')
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Scores:
Day 4
England 290 & 346
Sri Lanka 336 & 226-7 (target 301)
Sri Lanka require another 75 runs with three wickets remaining
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
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RESULTS
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
Winner: Miller’s House, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Kanood, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gervais, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Important Mission, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
History's medical milestones
1799 - First small pox vaccine administered
1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery
1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases
1895 - Discovery of x-rays
1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time
1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
1953 - Structure of DNA discovered
1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place
1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill
1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.
1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
