There was the Mario Balotelli-inspired 2-1 win over Germany in the 2012 European Championship semi-finals. And long stretches of dominance over Spain in last year’s Confederations Cup semi-finals – even though Spain eventually won in a penalty shootout.
More than any others, those two matches epitomise the transformation that four-time winners Italy have undergone since their embarrassing first-round elimination from the 2010 World Cup as defending champions.
After years – decades, actually – of lockdown “catenaccio” defence, Italy have modernised to the point where attacking is the priority.
“We began this adventure hoping to prioritise an attacking style of play,” said Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, who replaced Marcello Lippi after the disappointment in South Africa. “We have a lot of quality in midfield and we like to take advantage of that.”
While it’s unclear who will partner Balotelli in attack at the World Cup in Brazil – with Pablo Osvaldo, Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi (depending on when he returns from his latest knee injury) among the options – Prandelli’s midfield is virtually set.
Even though he’ll be 35 by the time the World Cup starts, passing wizard Andrea Pirlo is still at the top of his game and stalwarts like Daniele De Rossi, Riccardo Montolivo, Thiago Motta, Claudio Marchisio and Antonio Candreva provide a strong supporting cast.
Candreva made a name for himself in that Confederations Cup semi-final match, when he routinely sprinted by Spain’s defenders down the wings during a match marked by energy-sapping humidity in Fortaleza.
Memories of that game will shape the way Prandelli selects his squad this year. He’s going to take a long look at fitness data collected from a brief training camp in April to see who is in the best shape at the end of the long club seasons.
“I want 23 athletes who can recuperate in three or four days from one match to the next,” Prandelli said.
Fitness should be key in Italy’s Group D opener against England in the Amazon city of Manaus on June 14. Six days later, they face Costa Rica in the coastal city of Recife before rounding out group play against Uruguay on June 24 in Natal, a four-hour drive north.
“I’m most worried about the logistics and the climate,” Prandelli said after the December draw.
One area where Prandelli has nearly no worries is in goal. Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon is heading to his fifth World Cup – his fourth as a starter.
“For the 23-man World Cup squad I still haven’t decided anything,” Prandelli said in March. “The only sure starter is Buffon. Everyone else is under observation.”
In defence, centre back Andrea Barzagli has been slowed by injuries all season but will still be expected to line up alongside Juventus teammates Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, with Argentine-born Gabriel Paletta also in the mix.
At fullback, AC Milan defender Mattia De Sciglio seems the only player sure of gaining a spot, with Ignazio Abate, Christian Maggio and Domenico Criscito each battling for inclusion.
So what are Italy’s chances?
“We in Italy think we’re the best, although for years we haven’t been the best,” Prandelli said. “How many Italians in the last six years have played a final of the Champions League or Europa League? We’re not that strong anymore. But we’ll be ready.”
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Match info
Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')
Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
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Moving%20Out%202
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RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Lady Parma, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Tabernas, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m
Winner: Night Castle, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Mutawakked, Szczepan Mazur, Musabah Al Muhairi.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Tafaakhor, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Cranesbill, Fabrice Veron, Erwan Charpy.
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
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.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
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
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
Company%20Profile
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How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
Teri%20Baaton%20Mein%20Aisa%20Uljha%20Jiya
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
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
