The reigning Ligue 1 champions travel to Champagne-Ardenne to host newly-promoted Stade de Reims with the aim to register back-to-back wins in the Championnat
Following an international break, the reigning champions’ boss Rene Girard would be keen to make sure that his side keeps its focus fixed when La Paillade take on Stade de Reims who are back among the big boys.
Ahead of their debut Champions League game next week, Girard wants his side to give an all-round performance and the French tactician knows the importance of getting into a European game with confidence.
Thanks to their Ligue 1 triumph last season, Montpellier are playing in their first-ever Champions League group stage phase where they will take on English Premier League side http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429.
The game against the Gunners would definitely be a memorable even for the club but before that, they have to effectively defeat Stade de Reims who are just behind La Paillade in the points table with 13 points.
Following a dull and indifferent start to the campaign in which they could amass just one point out of a possible 9, Montpellier did well to register their first win of the campaign at the expense of Sochaux (3-1).
Now, Montpellier will head into the game against Reims level on points with Hubert Fournier’s side who are also out to prove their mettle against a side that will certainly turn on the style.
While talking to the media, Girard said that it is important to do well in games such as the one against Reims in order to keep focus.
“I think it's important that you get used to these games that precede high-level matches. That's why we are completely focused on this game, because it will be complicated.''
With not a lot of days between tonight’s game and the Champions League encounter, Girard understands that preparation was not easy especially due to the fact that many players who were on international duty, have just returned.
``There is always a difficulty with matches in quick succession. Our preparation has not been the easiest, because of players being away with their countries.”
For Girard, taking one game at a time is the best way to prepare a team and despite the fact that fatigue could play a role in the next two games, the Frenchman is also aware that the players will need to be vigilant.
Stade de Reims’ promotion back to Ligue 1 was an historic occasion. However, their first Ligue 1 campaign of the new century started with a defeat at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127 and then another one at the hands of Bastia.
However, since those back-to-back defeats, Les Rouges et blancs have registered a win and a draw against Sochaux and Toulouse respectively. Starting with the game against tonight’s opponents, Reims have three consecutive games at home. However, Hubert Fournier
is taking it one game at a time.
The Reims coach is wary of Montpellier’s prowess and knows that it would be a big challenge to play against the reigning champions.
``We have a big challenge ahead. But before thinking about the other two matches, it's the one against Montpellier that concerns me. This team are not champions of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 by accident.''
``It will take a very good Reims to not only nullify their attacks but also cause them problems as soon as we have the chance.''
Predicted scoreline: Reims 1-2 Montpellier
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