Real Madrid have endured a week in which everything collapsed. After the euphoria of a 6-1 win against Mallorca on September 22, crisis is a reality after three games without a win.
It all started with a goalless draw against Villarreal at the Bernabeu. Real began to show deficiencies that existed before, but which had been disguised with victories.
The bad omens were confirmed in the Champions League against Sheriff in the 2-1 home defeat. It was a shock and a big setback with the team showing too much defensive weakness.
The hat-trick of poor results was completed with Sunday's 2-1 defeat against Espanyol. A bad end to an awful week for manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The criticism is unanimous and focuses on the defence. The Italian coach has not found the key at the back to making Real a solid and reliable team, and the continuous changes in the players' positions are not helping.
Everyone knows that Ancelotti is struggling with Dani Carvajal's injuries and Ferland Mendy's prolonged absence, but the carousel of confused changes is the target of fierce judgment.
Ancelotti has tried everything when it comes to forming a defence, but in a muddled way.
The best example is Nacho, who in one week played at right-back, left-back and central defence. Ancelotti went so far as to put Federico Valverde at right-back and Eduardo Camavinga at left-back. The coach has tried three players on the right side of the defence (Lucas Vazquez, Valverde and Nacho) and on the left he has already fielded David Alaba, Miguel Gutierrez and Nacho.
It is a bewildering tactic difficult to unravel for the players and the fans.
Real Madrid slump against Sheriff
In Madrid, it was never thought that the post-Sergio Ramos-Raphael Varane era would be so difficult.
The midfield is another testing ground for Ancelotti, who has also been criticised by the club's hierarchy for a change in the style that has raised doubts in the dressing room and with them, problems on the field.
Ancelotti appears to have lost his talismanic influence, even if Real are still just clinging on to top spot in La Liga.
The attack no longer compensates for the serious defensive problems. Although it is the most productive area - Real are the top scoring team in the league with 22 goals, nine ahead of Rayo Vallecano - Karim Benzema's goals are no longer enough to disguise the team's problems.
Real had a promising start to the season but that has been undermined, despite their lofty position and remaining high hopes in the Champions League.
With more European dates on the horizon, Ancelotti has the international break to improve his team and get it right. He has to do it and he has the capabilities to turn off the warning lights.
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New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3
Danilo (16'), Bernardo Silva (34'), Fernandinho (72')
Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Ulloa (20')
Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
UAE's final round of matches
- Sep 1, 2016 Beat Japan 2-1 (away)
- Sep 6, 2016 Lost to Australia 1-0 (home)
- Oct 6, 2016 Beat Thailand 3-1 (home)
- Oct 11, 2016 Lost to Saudi Arabia 3-0 (away)
- Nov 15, 2016 Beat Iraq 2-0 (home)
- Mar 23, 2017 Lost to Japan 2-0 (home)
- Mar 28, 2017 Lost to Australia 2-0 (away)
- June 13, 2017 Drew 1-1 with Thailand (away)
- Aug 29, 2017 v Saudi Arabia (home)
- Sep 5, 2017 v Iraq (away)
The specs: Audi e-tron
Price, base: From Dh325,000 (estimate)
Engine: Twin electric motors and 95kWh battery pack
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Power: 408hp
Torque: 664Nm
Range: 400 kilometres
