Sports

Galtier Credits Defensive Discipline and Set-Piece Prep for NEOM's Upset Win Over Al-Hilal

By Ahmad Salah

NEOM head coach Christophe Galtier praised his team's performance after they secured a 2-0 victory over Al-Hilal on Monday at the Kingdom Arena in the Saudi Roshn Pro League. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Galtier said the result was a significant achievement for his side, crediting the players' focus, spirit, and defensive solidity. "We achieved a great feat and came away with a superb result. I am extremely pleased with what the team produced," Galtier said. He explained that his side entered the match with a strong mentality, aiming to make things difficult for Al-Hilal throughout the game. He acknowledged that an element of luck contributed to the win, adding that he hoped the victory would boost the team's confidence and raise its ambitions going forward. The French coach, quoted by Asharq Al-Awsat, said he had deliberately eased the pressure on his players before the match. "I said before the match that it would not be difficult, because the pressure was not on us, but rather on Al-Hilal," he said, noting that his team displayed strong defensive organization and handled Al-Hilal's scoring opportunities effectively. Galtier, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain, revealed that set pieces and crosses had been a major focus in training, a process that began last season rather than being a new development. He noted that while NEOM had struggled against top-tier teams last season, the situation has since improved. "We now have a more professional team, and the players have also gained more maturity," he said, adding that facing a team of Al-Hilal's caliber, regarded as one of the strongest in Asia, still requires an element of good fortune to secure a win. Galtier also spoke about the contribution of Saudi coach Mazen Al-Balawi, who is part of his technical staff. He described Al-Balawi as an ambitious coach who has been instrumental in helping the team, particularly due to his experience working with Saudi players.