I wanted to go back home when I first arrived, reveals NorthEast United boss Juan Pedro Benali

Juan Pedro Benali also spoke highly of Romain Philippoteaux, who’ll be playing his last game for the club tomorrow.

After 21 games and a massive turnaround in comparison to last season, NorthEast United will take to the field to play their final game of the ISL season on Saturday against Odisha FC.

The Highlanders missed a playoff berth by the slightest of margins and are expected to bounce back stronger next season. Ahead of the game, NorthEast United’s head coach Juan Pedro Benali and midfielder Romain Philippoteaux addressed the media.

Thoughts after the last game

Sharing his thoughts on the last game, the head coach said, “Well, the most important thing is that we are proud, we did our best. Sometimes football is unfair and that day it was unfair with us. I think both teams looked to win and at least we could have got a draw and that could have been fantastic. But this is football. All the best to Chennaiyin FC, all the best to the teams who’re in the playoffs and they must know NorthEast will come back stronger.”

Importance of the last game

The Spaniard also shared his views on the importance of the previous game and said that the team needs to win for the fans who have supported them all throughout the season.

“Tomorrow it’s an important game for us because we play against a great team, but at the same time we’re playing at home. Our fans, especially the ones who come to the game all the time and the people who follow us on TV and on social media, we need to give them the game. We need to offer them the game. We’ve been training and playing. We had 208 sessions. Tomorrow with the game will be 209. 

He also added, “It’s a long journey of seven months, day by day and one month off. We need to go to play to win against a tough team and we don’t know how Odisha will be playing. The most important thing here is us and I know the players who’re going to play will give 120% for the name we have on the front of the chest.”

Progress so far

When asked about the progress of his team from the first day since he arrived till date, Juan Pedro Benali said that initially he wanted to return home, but now he feels home in Guwahati and is very proud of his players.

“I’ll tell you the truth. The first three, four days training when I arrived I was saying, my God, where I am, I want to go back home. And now when I see the players and the training and the games, I say I’m home. This is my team, I am proud of them, they are my kids. Really proud that people like Romain from the first second helped us to make this transition, to understand the club, the mentality and the players. It became easy for us because we had the help to integrate the group very well.”

Benali also mentioned that people only see what’s happening on the pitch and ignore the sacrifices and efforts made by the players behind the scenes.

“Sometimes people talk about what the player is doing inside the field. They see only that 95 minutes or 98 minutes of the game, but they don’t see the iceberg. Yes success is too small, but they don’t see behind that success the sacrifice, thr hot days, early mornings, injuries, travelling, no families, crying, many bad moments, numerous trainings, rain, cold, etc.”

Thoughts on Romain Philippoteaux

The head coach also opened up about his thoughts on Romain Philippoteaux who will be playing his final game for NorthEast United tomorrow. He said that Romain is a big wolf and will always be a NorthEast United man.

“I always say a wolf one day is a wolf forever and Roman is our big wolf. He will always be a NorthEast man. He’s a big example. He’s honest, loyal and very professional. Every single training, even if he’s not feeling good, he’s giving 120%. He talks to the young ones, the moment we need to put our heads up, showing a smile.”

Juan Pedro Benali also said that Romain’s absence will leave a big gap in the team and the dressing room.

“He’s the first one at training irrespective of whether he’s playing or not; he’s always there pushing and next day he’s the first to training again. And that’s important for us. It was very difficult to put somebody else in Romain’s place. He will leave a big gap in the club and especially in the dressing room. It’s so important for us and especially important for me personally as a person and as a player,” he mentioned.

Team effort

The head coach also appreciated all the people working for the team. Moreover, he also said that the fans should come to see the games and buy shirts to help the team get more money and bring big players.

“The players, technical staff, medical staff, media staff, administration staff, grass. Taking care of the people on the ground, ticketing, people, marketing. Everyone worked. Our owner, John Abraham, is making big efforts. It’s easy to say take out that player, bring this player, bring another one. It’s not so easy. People have contracts, people don’t want to come, people who want to come and let’s bring the money, show me the money, put the money on the table and help to bring, come to the field, come to see the games, buy shirts to help the team to get more money, to bring a lot of big players. Then Mr. John Abraham will try to do better.”

He also added, “We need to help Mr. Mandar working hard every single day, controlling everything, going for the players. We ask him to do. He resolves a lot of problems. That’s important. When everyone goes in the same direction, result will come. Also, the coaches in the youth system, who are preparing the young ones to arrive to the first team. That’s important. And our fans, our supporters, the ones who come for the games and training time to time. People who send us messages supporting us anytime and that’s to see that smiles, that feeling here. To see that little girl come into the field, wow, that’s priceless. This is what we hope for tomorrow. We give them the game. The game for our fans,” he concluded.

Romain Philippoteaux’s comments 

Experience playing for NorthEast United

Ahead of his final game, the Frenchman shared his thoughts on playing for NorthEast United in the last couple of seasons. He said, “Two years is a top moment. Last game for me here with the team. We had 208 training sessions and I’m too much happy with the team work up. I’m sure next season the team will do better.”

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