On a night when several of Europe’s leading clubs showed off their attacking prowess, Real Madrid edged out Juventus 2-1 at the Bernabeu on Wednesday in a nervy warm-up for the season’s first El Clasico encounter with rivals Barcelona.
Cristiano Ronaldo twice gave Madrid the lead, rounding Gianluigi Buffon for the first and converting a penalty for the second. Fernando Llorente initially brought Juventus level, cleaning up a rebound from Iker Casillas, but Giorgio Chiellini followed up giving away the penalty by being sent off three minutes into the second half, hampering hopes of a Juve comeback.
Madrid, who sit three points off the Spanish league leaders in third place, travel to Barcelona on Saturday in a match the side from the capital likely need a result from to ease mounting tension.
In the other Group B match, Galatasaray’s high-priced acquisitions Felipe Melo, Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba found the net in a 3-1 home defeat of Copenhagen. Galatasaray moved past Juventus into second place with four points, while Madrid is first with nine. Juventus are third with two points.
Paris Saint-Germain put forth an imperious attacking display away to Anderlecht, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring four times to spearhead a 5-0 thumping of the Belgian champions. Edinson Cavani also found the net to round out the scoring. PSG lead Group C with nine points, five ahead of Olympiakos and Benfica, who drew 1-1 on a soggy night in Portugal.
One night after Borussia Dortmund left North London with a 2-1 win over Arsenal, their Bundesliga brethren showed off their league’s depth of quality. Bayern Munich ran out comfortable 5-0 winners at home against Viktoria Plzen, with Frank Ribery scoring twice and Mario Gotze finishing with a goal and an assist. Bayern lead Group D with nine points, three ahead of Manchester City.
Stefan Kiessling found the net twice, neither instance in phantom fashion, in Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-0 home defeat of Shakhtar Donetsk in the other Group A match. Simon Rolfes and Sidney Sam also scored for Leverkusen, who sit second, a point behind Manchester United.
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Rating: 3/5
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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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.
The biog
Name: Mariam Ketait
Emirate: Dubai
Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language
Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown
Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures
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