A futuristic experience was promised when Roma took on Juventus on Monday night. For the first time in Serie A, Italian television offered viewers the possibility of seeing the action in 3D.
There would be moments when a fourth dimension to the experience might have added interesting details.
Like a device to read the thoughts of Pablo Daniel Osvaldo as he stormed down the tunnel after being substituted by Luis Enrique, the Roma coach, this on Osvaldo's first game back after a club-imposed suspension on the striker for thumping teammate Erik Lamela.
At least Osvaldo was animated. The Juventus front line seemed strangely stage-struck. Simone Pepe and Alex Matri have looked much better this season in two dimensions.
The possibility of seeing Alex Del Piero and Francesco Totti, two men born in a time when watching football in colour was still a relative novelty, sadly passed unfulfilled, with Del Piero an unused replacement for the league leaders throughout the 1-1 draw.
But Totti saw plenty of incident. His cross picked out Daniele De Rossi for Roma's goal. And Totti's penalty could have won the game for the home team. Gigi Buffon saved it.
The most significant new dimension revealed on Monday night, though, was glimpsed in De Rossi's performance.
The Roma vice-captain, whose slow-moving contract extension talks are causing anxiety at the club and exciting interest elsewhere, started the game not in his usual midfield post but as a centre back.
What with injuries and suspensions, Luis Enrique was obliged to be resourceful, and he is a coach who has grown up with the idea that good footballers should be able to adapt to many different roles. In his own playing career at Barcelona, Luis Enrique shifted between wing-back, midfield, right and left flanks and centre-forward.
De Rossi proved excellent as a stopper, and still found moments to inject his usual dynamism into Roma's play further forward on the pitch. He said afterwards he had long wanted to try out the role of central defender and enthused about how much he enjoyed it.
Certainly, his imposing display, and a much improved showing from Gabriel Heinze alongside him, were part of why Juve's attack looked so limp.
The worry in the Roma boardroom now is that De Rossi's new-found versatility will have made him even more desirable for the many other clubs, notably in England, who are monitoring his contract situation.
sports@thenational.ae
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Getting%20there%20
%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Ftravel%2F2023%2F01%2F12%2Fwhat-does-it-take-to-be-cabin-crew-at-one-of-the-worlds-best-airlines-in-2023%2F%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EEtihad%20Airways%20%3C%2Fa%3Eflies%20daily%20to%20the%20Maldives%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%20The%20journey%20takes%20four%20hours%20and%20return%20fares%20start%20from%20Dh3%2C995.%20Opt%20for%20the%203am%20flight%20and%20you%E2%80%99ll%20land%20at%206am%2C%20giving%20you%20the%20entire%20day%20to%20adjust%20to%20island%20time.%20%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERound%20trip%20speedboat%20transfers%20to%20the%20resort%20are%20bookable%20via%20Anantara%20and%20cost%20%24265%20per%20person.%20%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Age: 32
Qualifications: Diploma in engineering from TSI Technical Institute, bachelor’s degree in accounting from Dubai’s Al Ghurair University, master’s degree in human resources from Abu Dhabi University, currently third years PHD in strategy of human resources.
Favourite mountain range: The Himalayas
Favourite experience: Two months trekking in Alaska
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.
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0DJemma%20Eley%2C%20Maria%20Michailidou%2C%20Molly%20Fuller%2C%20Chloe%20Andrews%20(of%20Dubai%20College)%2C%20Eliza%20Petricola%2C%20Holly%20Guerin%2C%20Yasmin%20Craig%2C%20Caitlin%20Gowdy%20(Dubai%20English%20Speaking%20College)%2C%20Claire%20Janssen%2C%20Cristiana%20Morall%20(Jumeirah%20English%20Speaking%20School)%2C%20Tessa%20Mies%20(Jebel%20Ali%20School)%2C%20Mila%20Morgan%20(Cranleigh%20Abu%20Dhabi).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Other promotions
- Deliveroo will team up with Pineapple Express to offer customers near JLT a special treat: free banana caramel dessert with all orders on January 26
- Jones the Grocer will have their limited edition Australia Day menu available until the end of the month (January 31)
- Australian Vet in Abu Dhabi (with locations in Khalifa City A and Reem Island) will have a 15 per cent off all store items (excluding medications)
