Sinisa Mihajlovic, the Sampdoria coach, will put his close friendship with Francesco Totti, the Roma captain, to one side in a bid to hand the Serie A title contenders their second shock of the week.
Roma took a 3-2 advantage over Napoli into their Italian Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday but departed with their tails between their legs after a 3-0 rout by Rafael Benitez’s side, who will now meet Fiorentina in the Cup final.
Rudi Garcia’s Roma have so far done well to stay in touch with leaders Juventus – they are nine points behind with a game in hand – and keep Antonio Conte’s champions on their toes as they bid for a third successive scudetto.
But while Juventus are expected to claim an easy three points at home against a Chievo side who are just one point above the drop zone, Roma’s task against Sampdoria is not quite so straightforward.
Mihajlovic remains friends with Roma captain and icon Totti but the former Lazio midfielder expects his side to play to the open, attacking game that has helped him steer them out of the danger zone to just below mid-table since his appointment two months ago.
“I’ve told the lads to play our usual style, even in these big games because having this mentality then makes it easier to beat the team who have our level,” Mihajlovic told the Corriere dello Sport.
“Maybe on Sunday we can give Roma most problems on the counter-attack, but it doesn’t really matter.
“If we had to, we’d settle for a draw although I’m convinced we will score anyway. That’s why I prefer an open style of game – afterwards, none of us can have any regrets.”
After Wednesday’s shocker, Garcia expects a reaction from his side, whom he said were not clinical enough in both legs of their Italian Cup semi-final.
“We definitely need to take our chances better. We must get certain efforts on target: you have to score when you have those chances,” the Frenchman said.
“That said, we should think positively because we’re creating chances. The key lies in being more clinical.”
Roma will be expected to beat Parma when their game, postponed due to heavy rain two weeks ago, is finally played.
But the fact Garcia is taking nothing for granted means a win against Sampdoria could be crucial.
“For the moment we’re four points ahead of Napoli in Serie A and we could stretch that lead further if we win our game in hand against Parma, although we still need to play that match,” he added.
“The Cup is a closed chapter for us now and we’ll open the league chapter again: it’s crucial that we beat Sampdoria at the Olimpico on Sunday.”
Antonio Conte, the Juve coach, will expect nothing less than three points from his side at home to Chievo, although his plans to give Mirko Vucinic a rare start fell flat after the striker was ruled out for several weeks with a sprainted knee.
Conte could reshuffle his midfield trio of Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo by bringing in Claudio Marchisio, according to reports.
Napoli are third, four points adrift of Roma and 13 behind Juve, and are also in action on Sunday away to relegation-threatened Sassuolo.
In Saturday’s only game, Fiorentina host Inter in a match deemed important for both sides’ chances of qualifying for Europe next season.
Fiorentina are fourth, three points behind Napoli, but with an eight-point lead on Walter Mazzarri’s men.
Struggling Milan, meanwhile, host Bologna on Friday in a match brought forward due to the Champions League first leg last 16 clash at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
sports@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
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If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The years Ramadan fell in May
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
