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Galtier Prepares for a Riyadh Showdown: NEOM Eyes a Champions League-Level Derby

16 January 2026

Galtier Prepares for a Riyadh Showdown: NEOM Eyes a Champions League-Level Derby
Galtier eyes a high-stakes NEOM–Al Hilal clash in Riyadh.

Riyadh Derby Context

French coach Christophe Galtier, NEOM's manager, described the upcoming clash with a league rival and the Riyadh derby as a Champions League‑style test.

NEOM, who slipped to Al Shabab in the previous round, will confront Al Hilal on Saturday in the 16th round after Hilal beat Al Nassr in the derby.

Galtier noted that Al Hilal is the strongest team in the league at present, with highly talented players and an excellent coach. There are clear gaps between NEOM and Hilal, yet in football anything can happen.

He added that they played a friendly against Hilal a month ago and will meet again in two days for the official match. He pointed to the impact of their big win over Al Shabab on player fitness and acknowledged that the opponents boast deep squads, including Hilal.

He also argued that fear would not help NEOM and reflected on fans' reactions on social media, saying they had performed well against Al Fateh and Al Shabab, though refereeing had not been ideal.

Punchline 1: If this derby were a sniper’s joke, the punchline would be the ball finding the net just as planned.

Punchline 2: And if confidence paid, NEOM would be laughing all the way to the trophy cabinet—until the whistle, of course.

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Galtier say about Al Hilal's strength?

He stressed that Al Hilal is the strongest team in the league at the moment, with very talented players and an excellent coach.

When is the NEOM vs Al Hilal derby scheduled?

The match is set for Saturday in the 16th round of the Saudi Pro League.

Was there any mention of lineup changes?

Yes, Galtier indicated a possible different plan due to player fitness and the return of a month‑old friendly against Hilal.

Did he comment on fans or refereeing?

He noted that fans’ reactions on social media are part of the game, praised NEOM's performances against other teams, but criticized refereeing as not always good.