106 games for DFCO (24 goals), between 2013 and 2015 last season: attacking midfielder Romain Philippoteaux has kept his eye on the season for “The Reds”, who are still struggling to stay in Ligue 2. He has developed since the start of the season for NorthEast United FC, youth club founded in 2014 in the city of Guwahati, in the Indian first division. The Championship there is over, he is in Dijon for a few months waiting to return to India and honor his second year contract. And he is the guest 100% Sports
Monday, 15 May 2023.

Romain Philippoteaux, found the Indian championship

France Bleu Bourgogne – When your loan spell at Dijon ended last season, you returned to Brest. And you stop to go to India. How was contact made with this club, which plays in this closed league of twelve teams?

At the end of the transfer window, I had offers from two Ligue 2 clubs. But it was complicated, it took time. I got this offer in the last days of the transfer window. Zakaria Diallo (moved to DFCO between 2011 and 2015) played there. He’s a friend, he explained everything to me. When I have a lot of info, I make decisions. I told myself it was time, and I went off to try my hand at adventure.

What impressed you the most?

It’s the heat, the humidity. Terrible, between 75% and 85% humidity. There, the temperature was between 32 and 35 degrees, amazing.

And in everyday life? Food, culture, transportation, etc…

Spicy food, very good but very spicy. Transportation is complicated, depending on the time, depending on the location, it can cover two kilometers in 45 minutes. In traffic you have to be careful, that’s what impressed me. And then we are not used to seeing cows in the middle of the road. They are pure, sometimes healthier than people in India. It’s folklore, but there are also really beautiful things.

India is a very big country. How was the trip with the team?

This is awesome. When we play on Saturday, we leave at 8am on Thursday. We took two commercial flights. So we took 5-6 hours by plane, to arrive and took another half hour by bus.

The most beautiful journey: we travel three hours by plane, and we end up with five or six hours by train. Excellent train, with berths, 800 people. It was amazing.

Plus, the city of Guwahati is literally on the Indian border, landlocked between Bhutan, Burma and Bangladesh…

They say it’s a small town, but it has a million people (laughs). So that lets you see how it is. But the championship was not bad, in American style, with the national anthem at the start. There is one game per day. Every evening the whole country watches the game, it is very well broadcast on television.

But India is a country that really loves cricket?

This is the sport of kings. I tried once, it was very very difficult. However, looking at them, I said to myself: “Too easy, I did it for a year, I’m a professional there” (laughs). But no, it’s too complicated.

On a sporting level, not going well? You scored two goals, you played almost every game, but your team finished last, with only one win each time…

There are some possibilities to do better, but it’s a complicated squad to hope to do better. We finished well, we almost won the Indian Super Cup. We lost in the semifinals against the winners. It shows beautiful things when serious recruiting is done.

How did you experience the distance from your family, who remained in France?

It’s tricky, but tricky to pick it up not knowing what I’ll find. I can’t take it, I have young children, it’s a change of scenery. These are some of the personal sacrifices I make when it comes to family life. It’s not easy every day, luckily there are videos and apps to pursue certain things. But yes, very complicated. There, I had three months to fully utilize them, can’t be ignored, it’s true that’s the hardest part there.

And in terms of language?

Very complicated. I don’t speak a word of English, but when I don’t say a word, it’s because I come from a place far, far away. I got into it. With lots of jokes, esp. They understand me like that. Then I had an idea. And then in football and in active life, always the same words appear. i go!

Have you always dreamed of an overseas experience?

Yes, but I didn’t plan on that one. More towards the United States, or Spain (laughs).

You are 35 years old, and still have one year contract in India. How do you envision the rest of your career?

I had the opportunity to return to France this winter, but it was complicated. At Martigues, who played a National revival. Besides, it’s my home. But it’s complicated contractually, to end, in India, the club doesn’t want to. I will finish my year in India well then why not do another year? I feel good, as long as the physique holds up and the will is there, I don’t limit myself.

Are you planning to graduate to coach?

i started. And as soon as I come back I will continue. I have a strong desire to be able to train later, and I’m counting on it.

Is it difficult to find a club, when you are a player aged 35 and over, and you play in a league far away?

Already, when in France we are over 33-34 years old, we are considered finished. It is true that we are less manly than before, but we have more experience and things to contribute. It’s the same everywhere, but especially in France, that’s the problem. And what’s more when you go to exotic tournaments you are double tagged.

But I can tell you that with the heat there, the humidity and the rhythm they give – not technically as strong, it’s National level – but if physically we’re not at the top, we explode into full flight. This is not an easy championship.

load

Romain Philippoteaux talks about the race to defend and Pascal Dupraz

France Bleu Bourgogne – You were at Gaston Gérard on Saturday for a 3-0 win against Amiens. How did you find the DFCO?

Romain Philippoteaux They had a very difficult match. I saw beautiful faces, a beautiful team, a great atmosphere, above all. I haven’t seen her in a long time. Everyone is in positive energy.

What do you think of the “Dupraz effect”?

We know coaches change, there are frequent electric shocks, but Pascal Dupraz brings so much more. I was lucky enough to get into the locker room at the end of the game so I actually saw some really happy faces. I don’t feel like I’m seeing the team go through a complicated season. It’s exhilarating, I get the impression it’s a well-lived group. When I see the substitutes, how they jump to every goal…I think they are on the right track. I was able to speak a little bit with the coach, he has immersed himself in the club, he can meet them.

You know him ?

Not personally, but we fought back a lot, and through friends who knew him. He said it, he was often assigned to this kind of mission, he knew all that well. I saw the dressing room, last year I have never seen such a happy and well-lived dressing room. I really felt a group and have to say it was him and his staff who got everyone back on track.

When she has to speak, from what I’ve heard, she’s charming. We know that in two months, tactically, technically, it is impossible to revolutionize or change players. They are the same players, but less doubtful, more confident, believe in the project or the coach. And that makes a difference.

Players at a very good level, like Mattéo Expertnvi, Adama Fofana… do you recognize your team-mates from last season?

That’s right. I know Matteo very well. With the quality he has, he has to take more responsibility, more confidence. I’m glad he walks on water now. He scored. When we covered his target at 25 meters in QRM, we said to ourselves: “nothing can happen to us again” (laughs).

The next match is in Nîmes, one of your former clubs. Crocos will play their last bullet in maintenance against Dijon. Should we expect a tough game?

I got echoes at Nîmes, they have had a complicated season. In addition, extra sporty, also complicated. With the president a lot of problems, tension with supporters. I was offered to sign the petition “Save Nîmes Olympique” but I could not place myself in one camp or the other. I support this club, I spent some great years there.

I think the Nimes group took a big hit defeat
in Caen. They want to make a move, play a final at home to Dijon. There, Nîmes will get tricky.

Pascal Dupraz will be our guests
Thursday, at your place, in 100% Sports. What question would you like to ask him?

Will he sign for another year if DFCO stays in Ligue 2?

load