Once his partner in the Italian national team, long a friendly rival across the technical area, Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti reckons that Roberto Mancini owes him one this afternoon.
"I have a very good relationship with him," Ancelotti said before dryly adding: "Not so friendly because he won too many times against me. He has to understand that I am his friend, so sometimes you can leave something to the friend."
Mancini has taken everything from six of their last eight meetings and arrives at Stamford Bridge in by far the more comfortable position. Both ply their trade for billionaire bosses, both have been relegated to bystanders in the Premier League title race, yet only for Ancelotti does that amount to a suspended death sentence.
At Manchester City the priority is to avoid the ill publicity of another change of coach. When their team tumbled out of the Europa League on Thursday night, an exit accelerated by the brainless sending off of a hand-picked Mancini signing, there was no public admonishment from Abu Dhabi for a manager who, realistically, has only the FA Cup to play for. As long as Mancini extracts a top-four finish from the division's most expensive squad he will remain in situ.
For Roman Abramovich, last year's league and FA Cup double has long since been discounted. Chelsea's owner takes every defeat personally, sees a team nine points behind the leaders, out of both domestic cups and more regularly embarrassed than at any point in his turbulent stewardship.
The Russian is, it seems, already preparing Ancelotti's replacement - leaving Champions League success the manager's best hope of survival.
Furnished with the £50 million (Dh298m) emergency acquisition of Fernando Torres, it has not helped Ancelotti's cause that none of his centre forwards have scored in the league since the Spaniard's January deadline-day recruitment.
Four league starts have delivered just one shot on target from a player Abramovich now expects his team to be built around.
Cue the frenzied changing of the formation with which Ancelotti has attempted to accommodate Torres. Five distinct shapes were tried before landing a run of positive results with a system alien to past Ancelotti sides. Not long after his arrival at Chelsea, the elder Italian explained that he would never use such a conventional 4-4-2 because "I don't like to play with the wingers".
With no defined holding midfielder and none of his wide men particularly comfortable in their new positions, the system seems to have been retained more to ride the confidence of a rare run of undefeated outings than because Ancelotti considers it a long-term solution.
"I think there was a time when our play was too slow and we had difficulty to create situations," Ancelotti said. "We use it to press the ball quickly so we can use transitions to create more opportunities. It was good against Copenhagen [in the Champions League]. Sometimes we can change our football, but our philosophy is the same, to play with possession. I think defensively we are more compact with 4-4-2."
Ancelotti's stance on Torres is that he does not care whether the striker scores or not as long as he works hard and the team does. It has not endeared him to Didier Drogba, who, with more shots on target than any other Premier League player and more assists than every striker bar Wayne Rooney, wants out of Stamford Bridge.
"I don't have a first-choice attack. I want to rotate the front players because they are in good condition and are motivated," Ancelotti said before quipping: "And they don't score, so there's no difference.
"It depends on which tactic we want to use. Obviously, if we want to use quick transition and counter-attack then we can use [Nicolas] Anelka because he is quick. If we want power we have to use Drogba."
Mancini has to deal with Mario Balotelli's disruptive behaviour; Ancelotti is at least working with an adult. Torres had remained calm and co-operative, worried more about the impact on the club of his failure to find the net than on himself.
"There is no pressure whatsoever," Torres said. "People make me feel welcome again and as long as the team is winning things are going to be easier. That is what matters. A month ago it looked like we couldn't fight for a position at the top of the table. In three matches things change, Manchester [United] lost and now we are closer to the top [and] in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The best part starts now. I'm adjusting to being here and happy."
Torres will start against City aware that a rare victory over them will propel his team above a direct rival for Champions League qualification. He said today's game "is vital because if we win we can take third place with a game in hand over them which would be a big boost for the team and our confidence levels. And third would be closer to Manchester United, closer to Arsenal".
And that problematic first goal? "It's coming soon. Sunday."
THE MATCH-UP
Key Battle:
David Luiz v Carlos Tevez
Luiz's presence in Chelsea's defence will help them cope with the counter-attacking style of their opponents. However, Luiz, below, is prone to giving away silly fouls and Tevez is very adept at getting into dangerous positions and tempting defenders into making rash challenges.
Tactics
Carlo Ancelotti will be expecting his misfiring strikers to rediscover their scoring touch, with Fernando Torres yet to open his account. Roberto Mancini, the City manager, will look to his players to exploit any gaps left at the back with quick counter-attacks.
Previous meetings
City are unbeaten in their last eight visits to Stamford Bridge and Chelsea have only won their three times in the last seven matches. However, victory over Manchester United two weeks ago has boosted hopes that the hosts are recovering their form for a late title push.
Probable line-ups
Chelsea (4-4-2) Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Malouda; Torres, Drogba
Manchester City (4-3-1-2) Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov; Y Toure, De Jong, Barry; Silva; Tevez, Dzeko
Facts
• When City defeated Chelsea 4-2 last season it ended their 37-match unbeaten run
• Before the 2009/10 season, City had only won two of 24 league matches against Chelsea
• City have not won away from home in the last eight games in all competitions
sports@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
MATCH INFO
Argentina 47 (Tries: Sanchez, Tuculet (2), Mallia (2), De La Fuente, Bertranou; Cons: Sanchez 5, Urdapilleta)
United States 17 (Tries: Scully (2), Lasike; Cons: MacGinty)
Multitasking pays off for money goals
Tackling money goals one at a time cost financial literacy expert Barbara O'Neill at least $1 million.
That's how much Ms O'Neill, a distinguished professor at Rutgers University in the US, figures she lost by starting saving for retirement only after she had created an emergency fund, bought a car with cash and purchased a home.
"I tell students that eventually, 30 years later, I hit the million-dollar mark, but I could've had $2 million," Ms O'Neill says.
Too often, financial experts say, people want to attack their money goals one at a time: "As soon as I pay off my credit card debt, then I'll start saving for a home," or, "As soon as I pay off my student loan debt, then I'll start saving for retirement"."
People do not realise how costly the words "as soon as" can be. Paying off debt is a worthy goal, but it should not come at the expense of other goals, particularly saving for retirement. The sooner money is contributed, the longer it can benefit from compounded returns. Compounded returns are when your investment gains earn their own gains, which can dramatically increase your balances over time.
"By putting off saving for the future, you are really inhibiting yourself from benefiting from that wonderful magic," says Kimberly Zimmerman Rand , an accredited financial counsellor and principal at Dragonfly Financial Solutions in Boston. "If you can start saving today ... you are going to have a lot more five years from now than if you decide to pay off debt for three years and start saving in year four."
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SCE%20Studio%20Cambridge%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sony%20Computer%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%2C%20PlayStation%204%20and%205%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Letswork%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Almheiri%2C%20Hamza%20Khan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20co-working%20spaces%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.1%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20with%20investors%20including%20500%20Global%2C%20The%20Space%2C%20DTEC%20Ventures%20and%20other%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20about%2020%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Brief scores:
Toss: Northern Warriors, elected to field first
Bengal Tigers 130-1 (10 ov)
Roy 60 not out, Rutherford 47 not out
Northern Warriors 94-7 (10 ov)
Simmons 44; Yamin 4-4
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
12%20restaurants%20opening%20at%20the%20hotel%20this%20month
%3Cp%3EAriana%E2%80%99s%20Persian%20Kitchen%3Cbr%3EDinner%20by%20Heston%20Blumenthal%3Cbr%3EEstiatorio%20Milos%3Cbr%3EHouse%20of%20Desserts%3Cbr%3EJaleo%20by%20Jose%20Andres%3Cbr%3ELa%20Mar%3Cbr%3ELing%20Ling%3Cbr%3ELittle%20Venice%20Cake%20Company%3Cbr%3EMalibu%2090265%3Cbr%3ENobu%20by%20the%20Beach%3Cbr%3EResonance%20by%20Heston%20Blumenthal%3Cbr%3EThe%20Royal%20Tearoom%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Carzaty%2C%20now%20Kavak%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarzaty%20launched%20in%202018%2C%20Kavak%20in%20the%20GCC%20launched%20in%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20140%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Automotive%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarzaty%20raised%20%246m%20in%20equity%20and%20%244m%20in%20debt%3B%20Kavak%20plans%20%24130m%20investment%20in%20the%20GCC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
