French coach Christophe Galtier, manager of NEOM FC, expressed his deep regret over his team's 1-0 loss to Al-Qadisiyah in their match at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Dammam, as part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. In his remarks during the post-match press conference, Galtier emphasized that his team delivered a strong tactical performance and were the better side, but a few minor details ultimately decided the outcome.
Technical analysis of the match and the performance of both teams
Galtier explained that his team entered the match with a clear plan aimed at controlling the midfield and closing down spaces for Al-Qadisiyah's high-quality players. He said, "We delivered a strong performance against a well-organized team with good players. We tried to close down all avenues to our goal, and even took the initiative to attack and create several chances, but Al-Qadisiyah's goalkeeper was the star of the match and excelled in saving our attempts." The French coach added that the final score did not reflect the strong performance his team displayed throughout the ninety minutes, considering that a single goal in the final minutes did not describe the excellent form his team displayed during the match.
The reason for Salman Al-Faraj's sudden absence has been revealed
Regarding the sudden absence of team captain and star midfielder Salman Al-Faraj, Galtier put an end to the speculation and controversy surrounding the matter. He confirmed that the sole reason for his absence was a muscle injury sustained during the final training session before the match. He stated, “The injury occurred in the last training session, and there is no other reason. I personally asked him before the match if he would be able to play, and he confirmed that he couldn't play due to the pain.” Al-Faraj's absence is a significant blow to the team's midfield, given his vast experience and ability to control the tempo of the game and create scoring opportunities.
General context and importance of the match in the Roshan League
This match comes at a crucial juncture in the Saudi Professional League (SPL), which has witnessed tremendous development in recent seasons, transforming into a destination for some of the world's most prominent football stars and coaches. This development has intensified the competition among all clubs, making every point doubly important in the race to secure top positions or escape relegation. For Al-Qadisiyah, this victory represents a significant morale boost in their league standing, while for Neom, the loss is a setback they hope to quickly recover from to maintain their position in the table and achieve their seasonal objectives.
