Monaco - Montpellier preview - Monaco set sights on third

Posted Monday, April 06, 2015 by PA

Monaco could break into Ligue 1's Champions League places with a convincing victory over Montpellier on Tuesday but coach Leonardo Jardim is pleading for patience at the Stade Louis II.

The principality club have been in fine form this year and now sit three points behind third-placed Marseille having won four of their last six games, drawing the other two.

L'OM boast a superior goal difference but, with only seven league matches to follow, beating Montpellier would see Monaco put one foot on the championship "podium" at least.

Jardim told a press conference: "Going up against Montpellier gives us an opportunity to get onto the podium. But this will not be a pivotal match."

Attacking left-back Layvin Kurzawa echoed his manager's assessment, saying: "There are still many games left and so we are under no pressure when we face Montpellier.

"We would like to play some beautiful football in addition to winning the three points, but sometimes that's not easy.

"We will try to do that on Tuesday."

Montpellier have not won on the road since February and were trumped 4-1 last time they visited Monaco.

Before facing the side that lead them by six points in the table, MHSC defender Daniel Congre told L'Equipe: "They're a great team but if we play to our full potential then we can do something.

"This is a game in hand, that fact is not lost to us, and we will not go there with our heads down.

"We must be very strong both individually and as a team if we are to get something there.

"We have that same motivation in every game, but against Monaco we know we are up against a very good team."