Al Duhail coach Christophe Galtier spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 19 match against Al Rayyan.

“We have regained the services of all our international players and even those who were not with their teams, they performed their training very well during the last period, and we went through our main training for the Al Rayyan match, which everyone knows is important, not only for us but for all the league’s fans. We know that Al Rayyan have some absences in the midfield, but they are a good team, especially in the offensive aspect, and if we want to win, we must give off everything we have and be at the top of our mental focus.

“During the last period, we expected victory in the matches that we played, which was not achieved until our last match against Al Shamal, but after that the competition stopped, and the recent victory is good for us morally, and the players must build on it to provide the performance required of them in the upcoming matches.

“Regarding the team’s ability to achieve a second victory over Al Rayyan, I would say yes, we are capable. I still remember our victory in the first leg and our return to the match after we came out late in the first half with two goals to none, but the players’ reaction in the second half made us return to the match and achieve victory.

“The team can reach the top four, but this matter does not depend on our results only, but on the results of other teams, and for this to happen, we must be at our known level, and as I spoke previously with the players, we must play with confidence and high fitness, because all remaining matches in the league are the preparation phase for the Amir Cup,” said Galtier.

Al Duhail player Philippe Coutinho said, “An important match awaits us and it is a good opportunity for us to face a big team, which will make us exert all our efforts on the field in order to achieve victory and come out with points in the match.

“We succeeded in achieving victory over Al Shamal in the previous match, thanks to the great effort made by the players, and I contributed with my team-mates in achieving this victory, which we desperately needed in view of the results we were producing.

“Against Al Rayyan, it is an important match and it will not be easy, as we will face a team that will fiercely defend its chances of maintaining its position. But with good performance, serious preparation, and focus on the field during the match, we can achieve what is required.”