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Football
Christophe Galtier, Neom's French coach, says Al Nassr has an easier path to the Saudi Pro League title than Al Hilal.
With 83 points, Al Nassr sits atop the Saudi Pro League standings, holding a five-point lead over Al Hilal, who have a game in hand. This margin has prompted Christophe Galtier, the French manager of Neom, to publicly name his pick for the championship between the two traditional rivals. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, as reported by the Saudi newspaper Al Riyadiyah, Galtier stated: “Al Nassr’s chance to win the title is easier, as they face Damac in the final round, making Al Hilal’s task very difficult.”
Galtier and his Neom squad are preparing to face Al Hilal this Saturday at the Kingdom Arena in the 33rd round of the Roshn Saudi League. The “World Club” (Al Nassr) needs a victory over Damac in the last matchday to officially seal the title. Meanwhile, any stumble by “The Leader” (Al Hilal) against Neom would mathematically end their championship hopes, giving Galtier’s team a decisive role in the title race.
Regarding the upcoming match against Al Hilal, Galtier acknowledged their strength: “Al Hilal is a very strong team; they have won 12 out of 16 home matches.” He added, “In the first leg, we played a good first half against them, but they outperformed us in the second half.”
The French coach, however, revealed a significant absence for his own side: Algerian winger Said Benrahma is out due to injury. He quickly noted the opposition’s potential losses as well: “But Al Hilal might also miss some influential players, following injuries to Malcom and Karim Benzema against Al Nassr.”
Galtier expressed a desire to see Karim Benzema, the French striker for Al Hilal, on the pitch, citing their past relationship at Lyon. “I am very happy to see Simon Bouabre, and also Benzema, whom I coached at Lyon. In general, I am pleased with the presence of French players in the strong Saudi league,” he explained.
The manager also confirmed his team’s ambition to secure seventh place in the league standings, which would qualify them for the Gulf Club Champions League next season. “We will try to achieve seventh place. We have heard some circulating news that the eighth-placed team might also participate in the Gulf clubs’ tournament,” Galtier stated. He concluded: “Currently, our focus is on the two remaining matches, and we will fight to finish seventh.”
Neom currently occupies eighth place in the Saudi league table with 44 points, five points behind Al Ettifaq in seventh.
