Rome's Stadio Olimpico will be a less accommodating place for Inter Milan this evening than it was three days ago.
Cheered not only by their own loyalists but bizarrely, and noisily, by large numbers of Lazio fans during the 2-0 win over Lazio in Serie A that put Jose Mourinho's team back on top of the league, Inter have since had a tongue-lashing from the scarlet part of the Italian capital.
The Laziale applauded Inter at the weekend because only the Milan club can stop Lazio's fierce rivals Roma winning the scudetto; Roma now jeer Inter for having been gifted three points on the principle that Lazio's local enmity took priority over their competitive spirit.
At least that's how Rosella Sensi, the Roma president, stirred the pot ahead of tonight's Coppa Italia final, the final head to head of a season in which the participants, Roma and Inter, have emerged as comfortably the best sides in Italy.
"After what we saw the other day, you can't really say we have the best league in the world," fumed Sensi to reporters. "If I were Inter, I'd be embarrassed to win that way."
Trying to heap embarrassment on Inter has become a fashion. Mourinho has been taking flak for the last seven days about the ultra-defensive way his team approached the second leg of their Champions League semi-final in Barcelona.
Inter have indeed become a tough, organised unit at the back in the last two months, and much credit for that goes to their South American contingent. Read from the back, and the first seven positions in the Inter starting XI most trusted by Mourinho to negotiate the three prizes still on his agenda are filled by Argentines - Javier Zanetti, Walter Samuel and Esteban Cambiasso - or Brazilians. Julio Cesar, Inter's goalkeeper, will travel to the World Cup next month hoping by the end of it to be anointed the planet's finest shot-stopper.
Lucio has been a tower in defence lately, while Maicon has been decisive at both ends of the field from full-back. Thiago Motta, Italo-Brazilian by citizenship, will be missed in the Champions League final in two and half weeks' time, suspension depriving Inter of his feisty energy.
There was a time when Brazilian football used to be considered vulnerable in one major area: goalkeeping. In the most celebrated of all Brazil's five World Cup-winning teams, that of 1970, the goalkeeper, Felix, was said to be the only weak link. Sociologists reckon that goalkeeping became something Brazilian boys looked on as a cursed job for generations after Moacyr Barbosa, the custodian in the 1950 World Cup final defeat to Uruguay, at home, became the scapegoat.
Now, Brazil exports excellent goalkeepers as readily as it sends outfield players to Europe.
"We are lucky to have perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world," says Inter's Sulley Muntari of Julio Cesar. To which Roma might reply they feel blessed three times over for Brazil's apparent golden generation of keepers. On Roma's roster are Doni, considered essential back-up in the national squad to Julio Cesar; Artur, a Brazilian, and the man who has eclipsed Doni in the estimation of Claudio Ranieri, the Roma, Julio Sergio.
At 31, Julio Sergio is something of a late developer, having only made his league debut for Roma, where he has been on the staff nearly four years, last August. But he is regarded as one of the heroes of the 24-match unbeaten run that resurrected Roma's campaign, as is Juan, who may partner Lucio in Brazil's central defence at the World Cup.
Indeed, the Coppa Italia final will be watched with interest by Dunga, the Brazil coach. He will be pleased his goalkeepers are ending the season on a high; that his defenders, Maicon, Lucio and Juan are chasing trophies.
He may also note that, as far as the Italian league is concerned, Brazilians are looking better as suppliers of steel and solidity rather than finesse.
Pato, Milan's Brazilian striker - who has been troubled with injury - and Ronaldinho are finishing the campaign disappointingly, while Diego, the Juventus playmaker, has flattered to deceive.
@Email:sports@thenational.ae
Roma v Inter, 10.45pm, Aljazeera Sport +1
Toninho Cerezo, Roma and Sampdoria
Tireless midfielder who played at 1978 and 1982 World Cups and spent a decade in Italy with Roma and Sampdoria, with whom he won the 1991 scudetto.
Jose Altafini, AC Milan
Hero of Milan's first European Cup in 1963, he represented Brazil at the 1958 World Cup and then, with new citizenship, Italy four years later.
Jair, Inter Milan
Speedy striker who won two European Cups with Inter and the 1962 World Cup with Brazil.
Roberto Falcao, Roma
Roma legend and scudetto winner in 1983 and part of fabled Brazil midfield of 1982 World Cup.
Careca, Napoli
Striker who was foil to Diego Maradona at Napoli during that club's epic years of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Dunga, Fiorentina
World Cup-winning captain and now Brazil coach. The rock of Fiorentina's midfield in the 1980s.
Claudio Taffarel, Parma
Goalkeeper who raised the reputation of Brazilian custodians. Part of Parma's exciting side in the early 1990s.
Cafu, Roma and AC Milan
Galloping right-back with stamina and a Peter Pan agelessness. Had his best years at Roma, including the 2001 scudetto, before joining Milan.
Ronaldo, Inter and AC Milan
Plagued by injury for his four years at Inter, but when fit, devastatingly skilled, strong and superb in front of goal. Past his best when he later joined Milan.
Kaka, AC Milan
Dominant in Milan's 2007 Champions League success, and influential in their seizing the 2004 Serie A title.
* Compiled by Ian Hawkey
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETwin-turbo%2C%20V8%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20automatic%20and%20manual%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E503%20bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E513Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh646%2C800%20(%24176%2C095)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
RESULTS
6.30pm: Longines Conquest Classic Dh150,000 Maiden 1,200m.
Winner: Halima Hatun, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer).
7.05pm: Longines Gents La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,200m.
Winner: Moosir, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Longines Equestrian Collection Dh150,000 Maiden 1,600m.
Winner: Mazeed, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
8.15pm: Longines Gents Master Collection Dh175,000 Handicap.
Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Longines Ladies Master Collection Dh225,000 Conditions 1,600m.
Winner: Cosmo Charlie, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Longines Ladies La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,600m.
Winner: Secret Trade, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
10pm: Longines Moon Phase Master Collection Dh170,000 Handicap 2,000m.
Winner:
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
if you go
Getting there
Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.
Staying there
On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.
More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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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
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
Afcon 2019
SEMI-FINALS
Senegal v Tunisia, 8pm
Algeria v Nigeria, 11pm
Matches are live on BeIN Sports
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The biog
Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.
Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.
Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.
Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
Favourite food: Dim sum
Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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