ROME // In the corridors of power and celebrity inside the main stand at Rome's Olimpico after Wednesday's Champions League final, Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson, victor and vanquished, cut contrasting figures.
Guardiola, as sharp in the mind and in his sartorial style, accepted the platitudes from journalists and friends after revealing his philosophy and tactics. He has retained remarkable composure throughout Barca's treble winning season - his first in charge at the club - always remaining true to their attack-minded policy.
"If you take the ball and you attack and you are daring you have more chances of winning," said the former Barca midfielder. "We were not cowards, never in the match. There's no other way. There's nothing more dangerous than not taking risks.
"We started badly but the goal calmed us down and, in general, we played a good match."
"We have worked many, many hours throughout the season and I know there are many people who are very happy. Now we have a prize for those efforts."
Showing a seldom seen ebullient side, Guardiola explained that the reason for his side's domination was his decision to move Lionel Messi into midfield.
"Messi went back into midfield because we wanted to be superior in possession. Without the ball we are a disastrous team, a horrible team, so we need the ball."
Summing up a season in which Barca have exceeded the unfeasibly high expectations to become the first Spanish team to win the treble of the Primera Liga, domestic cup and European Cup, the 38-year-old added: "We are not the best team in history but we have played the best season in the club's history to win the three titles."
Devoid of cheer and drained of personality, a grey suited Ferguson was magnanimous in defeat, saying: "We got into good positions but, in fairness, we were well beaten, the better team won."
"We started vibrantly but once they scored we were up against it. We couldn't keep the ball all night. Our defending was shoddy and the first goal was a killer for us."
The disappointed United manager still praised his Premier League and Carling Cup winning side. "They have done well," Ferguson said.
"We have had a long season - 66 games. They need credit for their resilience and for some of the football they have played."
The Scot will draw strength from defeat, but he won't have needed reminding by Barca's Thierry Henry, who capped a superb second season at Camp Nou, pointing out: "You only remember winners."
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tales of Yusuf Tadros
Adel Esmat (translated by Mandy McClure)
Hoopoe
RESULT
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 3
Chelsea: Willian (40'), Batshuayi (42', 49')
Young women have more “financial grit”, but fall behind on investing
In an October survey of young adults aged 16 to 25, Charles Schwab found young women are more driven to reach financial independence than young men (67 per cent versus. 58 per cent). They are more likely to take on extra work to make ends meet and see more value than men in creating a plan to achieve their financial goals. Yet, despite all these good ‘first’ measures, they are investing and saving less than young men – falling early into the financial gender gap.
While the women surveyed report spending 36 per cent less than men, they have far less savings than men ($1,267 versus $2,000) – a nearly 60 per cent difference.
In addition, twice as many young men as women say they would invest spare cash, and almost twice as many young men as women report having investment accounts (though most young adults do not invest at all).
“Despite their good intentions, young women start to fall behind their male counterparts in savings and investing early on in life,” said Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, senior vice president, Charles Schwab. “They start off showing a strong financial planning mindset, but there is still room for further education when it comes to managing their day-to-day finances.”
Ms Schwab-Pomerantz says parents should be conveying the same messages to boys and girls about money, but should tailor those conversations based on the individual and gender.
"Our study shows that while boys are spending more than girls, they also are saving more. Have open and honest conversations with your daughters about the wage and savings gap," she said. "Teach kids about the importance of investing – especially girls, who as we see in this study, aren’t investing as much. Part of being financially prepared is learning to make the most of your money, and that means investing early and consistently."
23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
List of officials:
Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.
