BARCELONA v PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Remember Barcelona 6, PSG 1? That extraordinary turnaround of a last-16 tie that finished 6-5 on aggregate to Barcelona seems a long time in the past. It was only four seasons ago, but took place before Neymar left Catalonia for Paris, and well before Lionel Messi indicated he wanted to quit Camp Nou. Only last week Neymar was saying he would like he and Messi to share a dressing-room again. Now they meet as rivals, assuming PSG’s Brazilian recovers in the new year, as anticipated, from the injury he sustained against Lyon on Sunday. Forecast: PSG to expose a brittle, bruised Barcelona. Reuters
BARCELONA v PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Remember Barcelona 6, PSG 1? That extraordinary turnaround of a last-16 tie that finished 6-5 on aggregate to Barcelona seems a long time in the past. It was only four seasons ago, but took place before Neymar left Catalonia for Paris, and well before Lionel Messi indicated he wanted to quit Camp Nou. Only last week Neymar was saying he would like he and Messi to share a dressing-room again. Now they meet as rivals, assuming PSG’s Brazilian recovers in the new year, as anticipated, from the injury he sustained against Lyon on Sunday. Forecast: PSG to expose a brittle, bruised Barcelona. Reuters
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH v MANCHESTER CITY: Monchengladbach have waited 42 years to step into the last 16 of the European Cup, or, specifically, 42 years and the agonising five minutes in which their players crowded around phones and laptops last Wednesday night to see if the other match, Inter-Shakhtar, in their cliffhanger of a group would finish in the draw that pushed them through. It did, but their reward for a free-scoring campaign is brutal. City, hungry to reach a first-ever final, should have more than enough to see off the German club. Forecast: City to reach their fourth successive quarter-final. AFP
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH v MANCHESTER CITY: Monchengladbach have waited 42 years to step into the last 16 of the European Cup, or, specifically, 42 years and the agonising five minutes in which their players crowded around phones and laptops last Wednesday night to see if the other match, Inter-Shakhtar, in their cliffhanger of a group would finish in the draw that pushed them through. It did, but their reward for a free-scoring campaign is brutal. City, hungry to reach a first-ever final, should have more than enough to see off the German club. Forecast: City to reach their fourth successive quarter-final. AFP
ATLETICO MADRID v CHELSEA: Perhaps the least desired outcome for a Chelsea who may have added European experience to their squad last summer, but must now negotiate a way past the club that epitomises knockout expertise. Diego Simeone, once an iconic Atletico midfielder, has taken his warriors to four European finals in nine years. Frank Lampard, once an iconic Chelsea midfielder, is aiming for better than the last-16 stage, where his club were knocked out in 2019-20. A poignant tie for Atletico’s Diego Costa, ex of Chelsea, if he can recover fitness in time. Forecast: Chelsea to find a way through the Atletico barricades. Reuters
ATLETICO MADRID v CHELSEA: Perhaps the least desired outcome for a Chelsea who may have added European experience to their squad last summer, but must now negotiate a way past the club that epitomises knockout expertise. Diego Simeone, once an iconic Atletico midfielder, has taken his warriors to four European finals in nine years. Frank Lampard, once an iconic Chelsea midfielder, is aiming for better than the last-16 stage, where his club were knocked out in 2019-20. A poignant tie for Atletico’s Diego Costa, ex of Chelsea, if he can recover fitness in time. Forecast: Chelsea to find a way through the Atletico barricades. Reuters
LAZIO v BAYERN MUNICH: A duel of thoroughbred centre-forwards. Last season Lazio’s Ciro Immobile won the Golden Shoe, the prize for the top marksman across league football in Europe. It was a startling achievement given that Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski amassed 34 Bundesliga goals. Immobile scored 36, leaving Lewandowski to take solace in his many contributions to a Treble. Bayern look well equipped to retain the most glittering prize of those three, the Champions League, and would regard Lazio as a surmountable hurdle. Forecast: Bayern to reinforce their status as Champions League favourites. EPA
LAZIO v BAYERN MUNICH: A duel of thoroughbred centre-forwards. Last season Lazio’s Ciro Immobile won the Golden Shoe, the prize for the top marksman across league football in Europe. It was a startling achievement given that Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski amassed 34 Bundesliga goals. Immobile scored 36, leaving Lewandowski to take solace in his many contributions to a Treble. Bayern look well equipped to retain the most glittering prize of those three, the Champions League, and would regard Lazio as a surmountable hurdle. Forecast: Bayern to reinforce their status as Champions League favourites. EPA
RB LEIPZIG v LIVERPOOL: RB Leipzig were semi-finalists last season, effectively knocked Manchester United out already this season and are matching Bayern Munich, point for point, in the Bundesliga title-race. That’s three good reasons for Liverpool to feel apprehensive about this barrier between the Premier League champions and the quarter-finals. Liverpool’s German manager has the greatest respect for his young compatriot in charge at Leipzig, too. “Julian Nagelsmann is the future,” Jurgen Klopp says of his counterpart. Forecast: Liverpool to overcome injury absences, and fatigue, to progress. Getty Images
RB LEIPZIG v LIVERPOOL: RB Leipzig were semi-finalists last season, effectively knocked Manchester United out already this season and are matching Bayern Munich, point for point, in the Bundesliga title-race. That’s three good reasons for Liverpool to feel apprehensive about this barrier between the Premier League champions and the quarter-finals. Liverpool’s German manager has the greatest respect for his young compatriot in charge at Leipzig, too. “Julian Nagelsmann is the future,” Jurgen Klopp says of his counterpart. Forecast: Liverpool to overcome injury absences, and fatigue, to progress. Getty Images
PORTO v JUVENTUS: It’s close to eight hours of action now since Porto conceded a Champions League goal. The kings of the clean sheet now confront the most successful Portuguese goalscorer of all time, and if supporters are permitted into the Estadio Dragao in mid-February, Juventus’s Cristiano Ronaldo will certainly know about it. His old ally and long-time team-mate at Real Madrid and for Portugal, 37-year-old Pepe, will not go discretely about his marking of Ronaldo either. This one could end up tight. Forecast: Juventus to impose their pedigree on a stubborn Porto. AFP
PORTO v JUVENTUS: It’s close to eight hours of action now since Porto conceded a Champions League goal. The kings of the clean sheet now confront the most successful Portuguese goalscorer of all time, and if supporters are permitted into the Estadio Dragao in mid-February, Juventus’s Cristiano Ronaldo will certainly know about it. His old ally and long-time team-mate at Real Madrid and for Portugal, 37-year-old Pepe, will not go discretely about his marking of Ronaldo either. This one could end up tight. Forecast: Juventus to impose their pedigree on a stubborn Porto. AFP
ATALANTA v REAL MADRID: Atalanta is not a happy camp right now, because of a very public falling out between captain Papu Gomez and coach Gian Piero Gasperini. But the wheels of a great adventure have not come off. This is the upstart club who came within less than a minute, in August, of reaching the semi-final in their first go at the Champions League and who won 2-0 at Anfield last month. They will glimpse vulnerability in an inconsistent Madrid. “Maximum respect,” said Madrid’s head coach, Zinedine Zidane, of the Italians. Forecast: Madrid into the quarters, via some anxious moments. EPA
ATALANTA v REAL MADRID: Atalanta is not a happy camp right now, because of a very public falling out between captain Papu Gomez and coach Gian Piero Gasperini. But the wheels of a great adventure have not come off. This is the upstart club who came within less than a minute, in August, of reaching the semi-final in their first go at the Champions League and who won 2-0 at Anfield last month. They will glimpse vulnerability in an inconsistent Madrid. “Maximum respect,” said Madrid’s head coach, Zinedine Zidane, of the Italians. Forecast: Madrid into the quarters, via some anxious moments. EPA
SEVILLA v BORUSSIA DORTMUND: Dortmund sacked their head coach, Lucien Favre, at the weekend, just days after he had guided the club to a seeded place in the last 16 of the Champions League. Quite what shape they are in in two months time will be up to his Favre’s successor, although they will not take a shortage of firepower to Andalucia if Erling Haaland, currently recuperating from a muscle problem, is around and keen to add to his 16 goals already from a 12-game Champions League career. An intriguing test for Sevilla’s defensive organisation. Forecast: Sevilla to keep a youthful Dortmund in check and sneak through. EPA
SEVILLA v BORUSSIA DORTMUND: Dortmund sacked their head coach, Lucien Favre, at the weekend, just days after he had guided the club to a seeded place in the last 16 of the Champions League. Quite what shape they are in in two months time will be up to his Favre’s successor, although they will not take a shortage of firepower to Andalucia if Erling Haaland, currently recuperating from a muscle problem, is around and keen to add to his 16 goals already from a 12-game Champions League career. An intriguing test for Sevilla’s defensive organisation. Forecast: Sevilla to keep a youthful Dortmund in check and sneak through. EPA
And the best of the Europa League ... REAL SOCIEDAD v MANCHESTER UNITED: After their shock relegation from the Champions League, no respite for United. They must go to the current leaders of La Liga. Real Sociedad’s form may have dipped recently but they remain hard to beat even when they do not sparkle. The away leg promises emotional returns to Manchester for former United prodigy Adnan Januzaj and ex City legend David Silva. Forecast: United to turn it on for enough of the 180 minutes to reach the last 16. AP
And the best of the Europa League ... REAL SOCIEDAD v MANCHESTER UNITED: After their shock relegation from the Champions League, no respite for United. They must go to the current leaders of La Liga. Real Sociedad’s form may have dipped recently but they remain hard to beat even when they do not sparkle. The away leg promises emotional returns to Manchester for former United prodigy Adnan Januzaj and ex City legend David Silva. Forecast: United to turn it on for enough of the 180 minutes to reach the last 16. AP
RED STAR BELGRADE v AC MILAN: One for the nostalgics: For three successive years, 1989 to 1991, the European Cup was owned by either Milan or Red Star, the Italians winning the first of those titles thanks to fabled quarter-final win over Red Star after the second leg had to be replayed because of thick fog in Belgrade. With Milan at the top of Serie A, that great era seems closer. Forecast: Milan to enjoy their trip down memory lane and make the next round. Getty Images
RED STAR BELGRADE v AC MILAN: One for the nostalgics: For three successive years, 1989 to 1991, the European Cup was owned by either Milan or Red Star, the Italians winning the first of those titles thanks to fabled quarter-final win over Red Star after the second leg had to be replayed because of thick fog in Belgrade. With Milan at the top of Serie A, that great era seems closer. Forecast: Milan to enjoy their trip down memory lane and make the next round. Getty Images
BENFICA v ARSENAL: Just when Arsenal thought things could hardly get worse, they draw a traditional heavyweight in Europe. Benfica have had better seasons than this one, notably when they reached the Europa League finals of 2013 and 2014. They trail Lisbon rivals Sporting in the domestic table thanks to a poor November, but will be encouraged by Arsenal’s dire current form. Forecast: Arsenal, with time ahead to correct their many problems, to progress. PA
BENFICA v ARSENAL: Just when Arsenal thought things could hardly get worse, they draw a traditional heavyweight in Europe. Benfica have had better seasons than this one, notably when they reached the Europa League finals of 2013 and 2014. They trail Lisbon rivals Sporting in the domestic table thanks to a poor November, but will be encouraged by Arsenal’s dire current form. Forecast: Arsenal, with time ahead to correct their many problems, to progress. PA

Football

PSG to get past brittle Barcelona, Chelsea to break down Atletico Madrid: Uefa Champions League draw analysis

Holders Bayern Munich take on Lazio in a battle between last season's most prolific strikers

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey
London

December 14, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The draw for the Uefa Champions League last-16 took place in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday.

In the photo gallery above, Ian Hawkey analyses each fixture and predicts which teams will reach the quarter-finals. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

What is a Ponzi scheme?

A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.

Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf 

War on waste
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile

Name: Tratok Portal

Founded: 2017

Based: UAE

Sector: Travel & tourism

Size: 36 employees

Funding: Privately funded

Playing records of the top 10 in 2017

How many games the top 10 have undertaken in the 2017 ATP season

1. Rafael Nadal 58 (49-9)

2. Andy Murray 35 (25-10)

3. Roger Federer 38 (35-3)

4. Stan Wawrinka 37 (26-11)

5. Novak Djokovic 40 (32-8)

6. Alexander Zverev 60 (46-14)

7. Marin Cilic 43 (29-14)

8. Dominic Thiem 60 (41-19)

9. Grigor Dimitrov 48 (34-14)

10. Kei Nishikori 43 (30-13)

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

MATCH INFO

Borussia Dortmund 0

Bayern Munich 1 (Kimmich 43')

Man of the match: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

Scoreline

Syria 1-1 Australia

Syria Al Somah 85'

Australia Kruse 40'

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Belong%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Michael%20Askew%20and%20Matthew%20Gaziano%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Technology%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%243.5%20million%20from%20crowd%20funding%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Famous left-handers

- Marie Curie

- Jimi Hendrix

- Leonardo Di Vinci

- David Bowie

- Paul McCartney

- Albert Einstein

- Jack the Ripper

- Barack Obama

- Helen Keller

- Joan of Arc

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

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THREE
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