The Montpellier president is optimistic about his side’s chances against Arsenal on Tuesday, and has mocked La Paillade’s former star player
The reigning French champions are set to face the Gunners in their first ever Champions League outing on Tuesday.
However, the club president has played down the hype attached to that game and has stated that doing well in the domestic league is more important to him.
While talking to reporters, the 69-year-old stated that he is not much worried about his side’s much anticipated match in the Champions League, and is confident that MHSC will put in a much improved performance on Tuesday.
“I’ve no worries, I’m sure [that they will play well against Arsenal].”
Nicollin feels that Montpellier’s match against Saint-Etienne is more important than the match against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429. The president added that playing in Champions League is indeed a great moment for the club, but La Paillade’s priority is to do well in the league
and defend their Ligue 1 crown.
“But the match against Saint-Etienne is more important than Arsenal. Champions League is good, but there are other things as well.”
Olivier Giroud, who moved to Arsenal from Montpellier before the start of this season, will be returning to his old club for the first time. However, Louis Nicollin is least bothered about that.
On a question regarding the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 international, the president said that it doesn’t matter and he does not follow Giroud anymore.
Mocking his former player, Nicollin mentioned Arsenal’s previous match in the Premier League, where Giroud started from the bench.
“It doesn’t really mean much to me. I saw that he scored 6 goals at the weekend. Oh, it wasn’t him? Oh right, he was on the bench?”
The 69-year-old Frenchman said that he is still a big fan of him and if Arsenal ever want to loan him out, Montpellier would love to take him back.
“When a player leaves the club, I don’t follow what he does. I do really like Olivier though. If Arsenal want to loan him back to us, we’d take him back.”
Montpellier Herault face Arsenal at Stade de la Mosson on Tuesday, in their opening game of the 2012/2013 Ligue 1 campaign.
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