During the press conference preceding Al Sadd match, Christophe Galtier, the French head coach of Al Duhail First Football Team, emphasized the importance of Saturday’s encounter, which could be decisive in their quest for the league title if they secure all three points.
Galtier began his statements at the pre-match press conference by saying: Of course, after our last match versus Al Wakrah, we worked intensively during the past week to prepare for Al Sadd match. We played a friendly match, which was a very useful experience. We saw increased harmony with our new player, Hakim Ziyech, during our recent preparations.
Galtier added: We all player and technical staff are fully prepared to face Al Sadd. We must forget the first-leg match and its result; it is just a part of the past, and we must focus completely and play with high spirit in Saturday’s match. The upcoming period will witness very crucial matches.
Galtier continued: We must approach the match with great respect. All players must focus on improving their technical and physical levels during the upcoming period. We must not forget that we have another strong match after this one as well. If we are fortunate enough to win, we will not say that the league has been decided, but it is certainly a crucial match in the race for the league title.
Galtier went on to say: I reiterate that it is a mistake to think about the first-leg match; as I mentioned, it is part of the past. Al Sadd has undergone significant changes since the first round. We have reached the decisive stages of the league, and we must be the better side in Saturday’s game. We will fight hard on Saturday, and we must outperform Al Sadd in this crucial and big match. These are the matches between big teams that compete for titles. Saturday’s match is against a team that is physically and tactically strong, which we have studied and prepared for. In the upcoming period, we must focus more on our style and impose our way of playing on the opponents, rather than just focusing on the opponents’ style of play.
He then stated: We have available changes in the team and outstanding players. I was not satisfied with the performance of some of them at times. During Umm Salal match, some players performed well as substitutes, and they also performed well during Al Wakrah game. Saturday’s match may be an opportunity to give some players a chance again and an opportunity for us, the coaching staff, to review mistakes and prepare for the upcoming competitions.
Galtier concluded: Luis Alberto had some physical problems during the past period. He did not train enough and was on the bench in the last match despite his injury. I did not want to risk playing him. The injury recurred during the friendly match versus Qatar. He has been training this week, and we will determine his readiness to participate in Saturday’s match, although I believe he is fully ready for the encounter.
