After exactly a week in the midst of what must surely be the biggest construction site in the world, Bayern left Dubai on Saturday morning and relocated to Abu Dhabi, where Jürgen Klinsmann’s side beat Al Jazira in the evening to win their first winter friendly. The squad then trained on Sunday morning.
Both Gulf states are constituent members of the United Arab Emirates, formed in 1971 and with its seat of government in Abu Dhabi. The initial bus transfer through the city left the Bayern party with the unmistakeable impression of a very different place from the one they have left behind, much more solid and stately compared to the seemingly ubiquitous construction activity in Dubai.
World’s tallest building
Dubai is a city and emirate of the superlatives. Chiming with the Olympic motto, “higher, faster, further“, one skyscraper after another adds to an ever-changing skyline. “The way they're conjuring a mini-Manhattan out of the ground here is almost frightening. You just have to hope it goes well for everyone involved and that these ambitious projects pay off.” manager Uli Hoeneß commented.
Dubai is also a city of records. The Burj al Arab is the world’s only seven-star hotel. Right next to Bayern’s The Palace the Old Town team hotel, the world’s tallest building is soaring into the sky (pictured right). The Burj Dubai is already more than 800m tall on its way to a yet-to-be-disclosed final height. The plaza in front of Burj Dubai will soon feature the most extensive fountain display on the planet, with jets of water set to rise 150m above the ground.
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