Real Madrid are playing with a focus similar to the mindset that swept them to a 10th European Cup success in 2014, head coach Zinedine Zidane said on Monday.
Zidane, whose jaw-dropping volley inspired Madrid to Champions League glory against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002, was working as an assistant to Carlo Ancelotti when the Spanish giants overcame city rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 two years ago to claim the long-awaited 'Decima'.
Two years on, he is preparing Madrid for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg away to Manchester City and from what he has seen in the changing room, he believes an 11th European crown may not be far away.
Asked if the 2016 vintage have what it takes to be kings of Europe, Zidane replied: “For sure. The players are really focused and concentrated.
“In 2014 there was the same atmosphere in the dressing room. I noticed all the players were really focused, aiming for that goal.
“Now we’re in the final straight. We know it’ll be difficult, but we’re ready for anything.
• Read more: Steve Luckings provides five reasons Real Madrid will win the Champions League
• Also see: The National debate – Who will win La Liga? Jonathan Raymond takes Real Madrid
“We need to be totally focused for 90 minutes, and more if necessary. Then we have the second leg in Madrid next week. All we can do at the moment is focus on tomorrow.”
Zidane expects to be able to call upon star forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, having declared both players fit following injury scares.
It took a hat-trick from Ronaldo for Madrid to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Wolfsburg in the quarter-finals, with Zidane's men prevailing 3-0 in the return leg at the Bernabeu, but Gareth Bale vowed that the lessons from the Volkswagen Arena had been learnt.
"Obviously we had not a great performance away to Wolfsburg, but it's something we've learnt from and corrected," said the Welsh forward, who will play his first game in England since leaving Tottenham Hotspur for Madrid in a world-record transfer in 2013.
“We need to be a bit more patient, maybe not go for the kill straight away. There’s two legs to go.
“We just have to be smart, attack when we can and defend when we can. If we stay together and play as a team, we have a great chance.”
Madrid are currently on a nine-game winning run in La Liga, which has elevated them to within a point of leaders Barcelona, and Bale credited Zidane, who succeeded Rafa Benitez in January, for turning their season around.
“He’s been amazing since he’s come in,” Bale told a press conference at City’s Etihad Stadium.
“Not just for me, but for everybody – he’s given us the confidence and the belief to go out on the pitch and express ourselves.”
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
ASHES SCHEDULE
First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
At Eternity’s Gate
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen
Three stars
