NYON, SWITZERLAND // The defending champions Inter Milan will face Bayern Munich in a re-run of last season's Champions League final after being drawn together in the first knock-out round.
Inter, who are in action in Abu Dhabi tomorrow against TP Mazembe in the Club World Cup final, beat Bayern 2-0 in Madrid in May to become European champions for the first time since 1965, but neither side has so far replicated last season's good form.
Inter are seventh in Serie A and only advanced as runner-up in the group stage, while Bayern topped a relatively weak group but is languishing in a distant sixth place in the Bundesliga.
"We're looking forward to these games," the Bayern vice chairman Karl Hopfner said. "I think we've got to make up for the past and I think the players are up for it."
Barcelona will meet Arsenal, a repeat of the 2006 final and, with four goals by Lionel Messi, outclassed 6-3 on aggregate in last season's quarter-finals, while Real Madrid play Lyon - the side that knocked the Spanish giants out at the same stage last season.
Last year's victory was Lyon's third straight defeat of Real in the Champions League, each time without conceding a goal.
"It will be very hard because Real will want to make up for last season," the Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said. "It's a kind of revenge. It really will be special to knock them out two years in a row."
Seven-time European champions AC Milan will play Tottenham Hotspur, who won Group A ahead of Milan's city rivals Inter in their first appearance in the Champions League.
"I would have taken AC Milan before the draw," the Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said. "They are leading the league in Italy but it has the makings of a great game over two legs. I'm looking forward to it."
Manchester United are drawn against Marseille, and Chelsea will meet FC Copenhagen.
"They're maybe the biggest club in Europe along with Real Madrid, historically speaking," the Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier said of United. "But I think the English will suit Marseille better than Barcelona's short passing game would.
"We'll need a strong defence against the famous Wayne Rooney and the others who play with him. It will be a good atmosphere at the Velodrome and I think we have our chances."
Copenhagen, the first Danish club to make it out of the group stage, are not expected to get past a team that reached the 2008 final and won last season's Premier League.
"We must try to create a small sensation at home so tension is maintained," the FC Copenhagen coach Stale Solbakken said. "But it will be difficult. Chelsea is probably among the three, four favourites to win it all."
Shakhtar Donetsk, who won the second-tier Uefa Cup in 2009, will play Roma, while Valencia face Schalke.
The first leg matches are scheduled for February 15, with the return games the following month.
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
Summer special
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
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Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Abandon
Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay
Translated by Arunava Sinha
Tilted Axis Press
POSSIBLE ENGLAND EURO 2020 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Ben Chilwell, Fabian Delph.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Harry Winks, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
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6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34
Usain Bolt's time for the 100m at major championships
2008 Beijing Olympics 9.69 seconds
2009 Berlin World Championships 9.58
2011 Daegu World Championships Disqualified
2012 London Olympics 9.63
2013 Moscow World Championships 9.77
2015 Beijing World Championships 9.79
2016 Rio Olympics 9.81
2017 London World Championships 9.95
