MADRID // When Luis Enrique was hired as Barcelona coach just over a year ago his challenge was a daunting one: to bring back the glory years of Pep Guardiola.
So far, mission accomplished.
Not for the first time Luis Enrique has followed in Guardiola's footsteps by winning a treble: Saturday's 3-1 defeat of Juventus added the Uefa Champions League to Primera Liga and Copa del Rey triumphs.
Enrique succeeded Guardiola as Barca captain in his playing days in the 1990s and as Barca B coach when the Bayern Munich coach took the top job at the Camp Nou in 2009.
Yet, they took different routes to delivering Barca’s two best seasons in a storied 115-year history.
Read more:
– Richard Jolly: Andres Iniesta and Luis Suarez continue to turn up on the big occasion as Barcelona’s success shows
– Photo gallery: A super Saturday night when Barca beat Juventus to lift the Uefa Champions League trophy
Whereas the fiercely proud Catalan Guardiola was loved not only for winning, but imposing a style of play that saw many round the world hail his side as the best in the history of football, Luis Enrique has had to overcome doubts and dressing room revolt before ending the season on top.
Even now he has doubts about his future.
After leaving star duo Lionel Messi and Neymar on the bench for a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in January he was rumoured to be on the verge of being fired.
In the week following the Sociedad defeat he saw a trusted ally in sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta sacked and another former teammate, Carles Puyol, walk out on the club in solidarity with Zubizarreta.
A stubborn character who once turned his back on Real Madrid to cross Spanish football’s great divide, the 45-year-old manager appears not to have forgotten that criticism.
“The truth is I don’t know if I will continue,” he said.
Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu called club elections for this summer when under pressure in January, and whether it is Bartomeu or a new face in charge of the club come July is likely to influence Luis Enrique’s decision.
“It has been a difficult year and I’m very thankful to the people who have believed in me.
“I never thought we would win the treble, but one always tries to do their job to the best that they can.”
His record of 50 victories in 60 games is far superior to the 42 in 62 matches Guardiola managed during his treble-winning debut campaign.
Barca’s front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar broke the club record of 100 goals by a forward line that season, by Messi, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o, with a sensational 122.
Meanwhile, Luis Enrique’s men were even tougher at the back with 33 clean sheets in all competitions.
“I hate comparisons,” said Gerard Pique, when asked the differences between this Barca team and Guardiola’s side. “There are people that would prefer we played like a few years ago, but it works.”
Andres Iniesta hopes Luis Enrique is not quite done following Guardiola’s example just yet and stays on to mark an era at Barca.
“Both trebles are special. The first time you think you’ll never do it again, and yet we have,” said the Spaniard, who was named man-of-the-match against Juventus.
“For us he is our coach and we hope that next year he will be there with us.
“He hasn’t said anything to the contrary and next year we will have new challenges.
“It has been a spectacular season in every aspect. It is a spectacular day for us.”
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
if you go
The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
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
MATCH INFO
Karnataka Tuskers 110-5 (10 ovs)
Tharanga 48, Shafiq 34, Rampaul 2-16
Delhi Bulls 91-8 (10 ovs)
Mathews 31, Rimmington 3-28
Karnataka Tuskers win by 19 runs
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights
Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes.
The hotels
The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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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
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