The Uefa Champions League group stage got underway this week and there were several statement wins from traditional heavyweights to lay down some early markers.
The action began on Tuesday evening with an early game at the San Siro, where Newcastle United marked their return to the tournament after a 20-year absence with a gutsy goalless draw against AC Milan. Also with an early kick off, RB Leipzig eased past Young Boys 3-1 in Bern, Switzerland.
Five-time winners Barcelona, aiming to return to the top table after two successive group-stage exits, got their campaign up and running in style, outclassing debutants Royal Antwerp 5-0. Holders Manchester City were also too strong for their opponents but needed a second-half fightback to beat Red Star Belgrade 3-1 at the Etihad.
Paris Saint-Germain were comfortable 2-0 winners over Borussia Dortmund, while Galeno-inspired Porto claimed a 3-1 win at Shakhtar Donetsk, who are playing their home games in Hamburg, Germany.
Celtic endured a miserable evening in the Netherlands, where Feyenoord eased to a 2-0 victory after the Scottish champions were reduced to nine men. The biggest drama of the night took place in Rome as Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel scored a superb last-minute equaliser against Atletico Madrid.
On Wednesday night, Real Madrid made hard work of their 1-0 win over Union Berlin as Jude Bellingham scored yet another injury-time winner, while Galatasaray fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with 10-man Copenhagen.
Arsenal returned to the Champions League in fine style with a 4-0 thrashing of PSV Einhodven, Napoli edged out Braga 2-1, Salzburg claimed a 2-0 win at Benfica, and there were 1-1 draws between Real Sociedad and Inter Milan, and Sevilla and Lens.
The blockbuster match of the round took place at the Allianz Arena, where Bayern Munich defeated Manchester United 4-3 in a match the Germans dominated in all but the scoreline.
Assessing the performances of the opening round of fixtures, we have selected our Champions League team of the week in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.
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The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
ORDER OF PLAY ON SHOW COURTS
Centre Court - 4pm (UAE)
Gael Monfils (15) v Kyle Edmund
Karolina Pliskova (3) v Magdalena Rybarikova
Dusan Lajovic v Roger Federer (3)
Court 1 - 4pm
Adam Pavlasek v Novak Djokovic (2)
Dominic Thiem (8) v Gilles Simon
Angelique Kerber (1) v Kirsten Flipkens
Court 2 - 2.30pm
Grigor Dimitrov (13) v Marcos Baghdatis
Agnieszka Radwanska (9) v Christina McHale
Milos Raonic (6) v Mikhail Youzhny
Tsvetana Pironkova v Caroline Wozniacki (5)
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
THE%20HOLDOVERS
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
English Premiership semi-finals
Saracens 57
Wasps 33
Exeter Chiefs 36
Newcastle Falcons 5
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Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN budget in 2019
USA – $1.055 billion
Brazil – $143 million
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
Bio
Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
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MATCH INFO
UAE Division 1
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 12-24 Abu Dhabi Saracens
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
NINE WINLESS GAMES
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Oct 27, PL)
Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal (Oct 30, EFL)
Arsenal 1-1 Wolves (Nov 02, PL)
Vitoria Guimaraes 1-1 Arsenal (Nov 6, Europa)
Leicester 2-0 Arsenal (Nov 9, PL)
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton (Nov 23, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Nov 28, Europa)
Norwich 2-2 Arsenal (Dec 01, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Brighton (Dec 05, PL)
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
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