Bayern Munich head to Spain for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final – and Pep Guardiola's return to Barcelona – showing cracks in confidence following back-to-back defeats.
After wrapping up their 25th German league title last Sunday, Bayern’s costly penalty shoot-out defeat to Borussia Dortmund last Tuesday in the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) semi-final was followed up by a 2-0 loss at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
It has been the worst possible run-in to the match at Camp Nou where Guardiola will be making his first return to the club where he won 14 cups and titles in his four years in charge up to 2012, and he acknowledged his doubts.
“We don’t know yet about the line-up against Barca,” he said.
“As for Robert Lewandowski and Franck Ribery, we just don’t know if they are ready – and we don’t know when we will know.
“Our line-up is not yet settled,” he said.
Bayern already know they will be without Arjen Robben who tore a calf muscle in his return from injury last week and will now miss the rest of the season.
Top scorer Lewandowski fractured his cheekbone and suffered concussion in the same German Cup semi-final defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
French ace Ribery has been sidelined since injuring an ankle on March 11.
“We aren’t going to talk ourselves into a corner, the season has been awesome until now,” said Bayern’s director of sport Matthias Sammer.
“The players and coach have deserved every compliment that has come their way more than any criticism.”
Sammer says the decision as to whether Lewandowski plays at Barcelona with a protective mask will be made by the player.
Guardiola gave reserve team defender Rico Strieder and striker Lukas Gortler senior debuts at Leverkusen while resting stars Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng, Juan Bernat and Xabi Alonso.
“The main thing is that no one else got injured,” admitted Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger as Bayern headed back to Munich.
While Bayern were struggling in Leverkusen, Barcelona ran riot at Cordoba with Luis Suarez claiming a hat-trick while Lionel Messi hit two and Neymar also netting in Saturday’s 8-0 thrashing.
“With all due respect, Barcelona got that result against the bottom side,” insisted Sammer.
“We played with two youth team players against a Champions League side. There’s a difference.
“We have the necessary respect for Barcelona and their many world-class players, but we also have a few world champions.”
Guardiola remained upbeat despite the Leverkusen loss.
“We had plenty of chances and some clear one-on-one situations, but could not convert. I am actually quite satisfied with my team,” he said, stressing that they had won the title one week earlier.
“We played well. Mario Gotze had two clear chances that he didn’t convert. He was unlucky. That happens – he is a good player and we are a good team.”
Centre-back Medhi Benatia is set to feature in Barcelona after a leg injury.
“I played against Suarez in the Europa League, when he played for Liverpool,” said the 28-year-old.
“I haven’t played yet against Messi and Neymar, but there is always a first time for everything.
“Personally, I respect them, but that’s not valid for the 90 minutes on the pitch, there will be no respect then.”
This is not the first time Bayern have suffered a dip after winning the league title under Guardiola.
Having wrapped up the 2013/14 title with a record seven games to spare, Bayern suffered a rare league defeat at Augsburg which was followed by a 3-0 mauling in Munich by Dortmund.
Two weeks later, they lost 1-0 at Real Madrid in last year’s Champions League semi-finals first leg before being routed 4-0 in Munich.
Sammer insists the new back-to-back defeats have had no impact on the squad, other than ending their hopes of winning the treble.
“Pep has already won five titles with Bayern and his second season isn’t over yet,” said Sammer.
“He shouldn’t have to feel under too much pressure against his former club.
“I hazard a guess that he has more composure than that.”
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)
Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)
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What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the most popular virtual currency in the world. It was created in 2009 as a new way of paying for things that would not be subject to central banks that are capable of devaluing currency. A Bitcoin itself is essentially a line of computer code. It's signed digitally when it goes from one owner to another. There are sustainability concerns around the cryptocurrency, which stem from the process of "mining" that is central to its existence.
The "miners" use computers to make complex calculations that verify transactions in Bitcoin. This uses a tremendous amount of energy via computers and server farms all over the world, which has given rise to concerns about the amount of fossil fuel-dependent electricity used to power the computers.
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa
Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia
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June 3: NZ Provincial Barbarians 7 Lions 13
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June 10: Crusaders 3 Lions 12
June 13: Highlanders 23 Lions 22
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June 20: Chiefs 6 Lions 34
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Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
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Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
Living in...
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RESULT
Kolkata Knight Riders 169-7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals 144-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata win by 25 runs
Next match
Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders, Friday, 5.30pm
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TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
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7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: RB Kings Bay, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: AF Ensito, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: AF Sourouh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Baaher, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
9pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Mootahady, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
9.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Dubai Canal, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Al Ain Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Harrab, Bernardo Pinheiro, Majed Al Jahouri
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Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier
UAE results
Beat China by 16 runs
Lost to Thailand by 10 wickets
Beat Nepal by five runs
Beat Hong Kong by eight wickets
Beat Malaysia by 34 runs
Standings (P, W, l, NR, points)
1. Thailand 5 4 0 1 9
2. UAE 5 4 1 0 8
3. Nepal 5 2 1 2 6
4. Hong Kong 5 2 2 1 5
5. Malaysia 5 1 4 0 2
6. China 5 0 5 0 0
Final
Thailand v UAE, Monday, 7am
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