Par
Nicolas Pipelier
Published on
Dec 14 2024 at 4:20 p.m.
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“I had the leaders of Stade Brestois by video. I told them that after the Camp Nou, they risked having a shock when they arrived at Desgrange,” smiles Christophe Chabotthe president of La Roche Vendée Football.
The anecdote says a lot about the state of mind of the La Roche-sur-Yon team, on the eve of hosting Stade Brestois in 32es final of the Coupe de France.
A Ligue 1 on their green square, never seen before. “We couldn’t have hoped for a better draw,” says President Chabot. “Brest is the team of the moment. Their adventure in the Champions League is magnificent. If we had fallen on Paris or Marseille, we would have been forced to play elsewhere. Whereas there, we will really be at home. »
What a gift before the winter break. “We want to make the match a celebration. » For the atmosphere, the French Football Federation planned to distribute Santa hats and accessories. Perfect “to attract families to the stadium”.
The staff hopes to attract between 5,000 and 6,000 supporters, in an enclosure which can accommodate 9,653 spectators. And why not match the 5,800 tickets sold during the visit to Bastia (L2), in 32es final of the Coupe de France in 2014.
“Our chances are slim”
As against the Corsicans (0-3 in overtime), “we are going to sell our skin dearly”, announces the president of La Roche VF, even if he has few illusions about the outcome of the match. “Without wanting to offend my players, I think our chances are slim. »
Since the start of the N2 championship, La Roche Vendée football is in trouble. Gone are the last two years, where the Reds (in the photo in blue for away matches) were on the verge of promotion to N1. This season, La Roche is vegetating at the bottom of the rankings (13e out of 16), next to Poiré-sur-Vie (15e).
“It’s the classic problem of teams who miss the climb by a hair,” puts Christophe Chabot into perspective. “Three players left. Those who remained took a hit to morale. Those who arrived put pressure on themselves. »
Not to mention bad luckwith nine footballers on the floor. “But we play good football,” reassures the president, who has redefined his ambitions. “Clearly, today, we are playing to maintain. »
In this grayness, the Coupe de France offers a breath of fresh air. After receipt of Girondins de Bordeaux this Saturday in the championshipLa Roche Vendée football collects beautiful posters. The recipe for putting on a show. And the opportunity to show the 35 partner clubs of the Vendée football club (read box), “our ability to bring together and organize major events”.
The new stadium warming up
In September 2024, sixteen investors around Christophe Chabot created the cooperative society of collective interest, the Vendée football club, to support the rise of La Roche Vendée football in the elite. Among the objectives targeted by the SCI is the creation of a new stadium in Oudairies. A commission chaired by Denis Rousseau, former president of the Challans club, is leading the preparation work.
“We asked the City for authorization to finance pre-studies,” says Christophe Chabot. “A specification will be drawn up in collaboration with the City of La Roche-sur-Yon and the Department of Vendée. » As for the concrete realization of the project, “the timetable will depend on our sporting results”.
Saturday December 21, La Roche Vendée against Stade Brestois, 32nd finals of the Coupe de France, Desgrange stadium, La Roche-sur-Yon, 3:30 p.m. Prices: €12 in the stands, €10 around the perimeter.
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