Girard: Montpellier have no time to think
Reuters - Friday 20 April 2012, 09:41
Brief news from Ligue 1 before
this weekend's matches:
Montpellier need to channel all their attention towards
matters on the pitch if they are to clinch a maiden Ligue 1
title, coach Rene Girard said ahead of Saturday's home game
against Valenciennes.
"When you're six games away from something, you just don't
think, you give absolutely everything and try to go all the
way," he told a news conference.
Montpellier have 66 points and lead second-placed Paris Saint-Germain by two points.
A few dozen Valenciennes fans protested at a training
session ahead of the team's trip to Montpellier, following the
side's embarrassing 3-0 home defeat to promoted Evian.
According to France Football magazine, fans threw
firecrackers towards the pitch and spoke to several players
before leaving.
Valenciennes are 12th in the standings, four points above
the relegation zone.
Paris Saint-Germain may have to win their last six games to
win the French title, but midfielder Thiago Motta urged his team-mates to only concentrate on this Sunday's home match against
Sochaux.
"We should not think about the six games ahead but just
about the next one," the Italian international told a news
conference on Friday.
"We missed out on a few opportunities but we should not
dwell on it and look ahead."
Lille are likely to be without injured holding midfielder
Florent Balmont when they travel to Dijon on Saturday.
"He has resumed normal training... but it is possible that
will won't take a risk with him," coach Rudi Garcia was quoted
as saying on the club's website.
Lille, who will definitely be without the suspended striker
Dimitri Payet, are third in the standings on 59 points.
Evian will be without Brice Dja Djedje when they entertain
Toulouse on Saturday, a groin injury ruling the defender out
after he started all 32 league games this season.