Montpellier vs Lens preview - Montpellier look to build on win

Posted Friday, December 12, 2014 by PA

Montpellier coach Rolland Courbis admits his team are experiencing a rollercoaster Ligue 1 campaign ahead of their clash with struggling Lens.

Three days after losing 2-0 at home to St Etienne, the 2012 French champions produced the biggest victory of week 17 by thumping Rennes 4-0 away.

Rennes are sixth in the table and pushing for a European place next season, so it was a remarkable result that has bamboozled Courbis.

"In three days we went from one extreme to the other - from a defeat that was bizarre and complicated to analyse, to winning by four goals. We deserved to win, but not by that score," he said on the Ligue 1 website.

"But at the same time, we have had enough problems since the start of the season. If there are times when things go well for us, like against Rennes, then perhaps we had something to do with it."

Lens are desperate to climb out of the bottom three and last weekend's 1-1 draw with Lille was a step in the right direction.

Coach Antoine Kombouare believes the spirit on show in the local derby bodes well for the remainder of the season.

"We may be disappointed with the result, but not with the way we played. We believed until the very end, so we have a lot of pride and satisfaction from that," he said.

"It was only a draw, but the players did well and deserved it. We showed a lot of determination in the game, the ability to move forward and the will to equalise.

"I felt we could come from behind and even win the game. I was preparing the speech to boost the morale of the troops, but finally they were rewarded."