Saint-Etienne vs Montpellier preview - Destiny is at our feet - Galtier

Posted Saturday, May 03, 2014 by PA

St Etienne coach Christophe Galtier is confident his side can maintain their push for European football next season when they take on Montpellier on Sunday afternoon.

Les Verts have enjoyed a six-match unbeaten run of late and hold on to fourth spot in the Ligue 1 table - with Galtier all too aware of Lyon two points behind - but the former Marseille boss knows his men cannot take their foot off the gas just yet.

He told his club's official website www.asse.fr: "We are not alone because we have pursuers.

"We have a goal; to maintain fourth place. This is important because we would end up with a higher ranking than last season (fifth).

"I am very satisfied. We have our destiny at our feet.

"To be in Europe for a second-straight season would be a great result but the objective remains to reach the group stage. We must continue to be determined but we should not play with pressure."

But Galtier admitted he was mindful of the threat of Sunday's struggling opponents, saying: "This is a very playful team. Montpellier scores a lot of goals. Remy Cabella (has) scored 14 goals. Mbaye Niang is also very dangerous."

Galtier confirmed there is a question mark over Francois Clerc for Sunday's match after the France defender suffered a knock during last weekend's 2-1 victory over Evian, and he added: "There is a big uncertainty about his participation in Sunday's game."

A point from Montpellier's last three matches would be enough to ensure their Ligue 1 status so St Etienne should anticipate a tough clash at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard.

Rolland Courbis' side claimed a 2-1 win over Toulouse last Saturday and hope to build on that result following a mixed run of form over the past few weeks ahead of next weekend's home clash against Bastia and their final game of the season - a tricky trip to leaders Paris St Germain.