Chantome calls for PSG response

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Clement Chantome says his side must find form at Montpellier if they are to keep their title rivals at bay.

PSG face Rene Girard’s men in Ligue 1 action on Sunday looking to bounce back from their defeat at the hands of Saint Etienne.

The loss brought to an end PSG’s 14-game unbeaten run in the league, which dated back to April 30 last season.

Montpellier piped Carlo Ancelotti’s men to the title last season, but have found the going tougher this campaign with just three wins from 11 games.

Although PSG top the table, Chantome says there is plenty of room for improvement.

“We played a really bad game against Saint Etienne, so we want to redeem ourselves against Montpellier,” the 25-year-old said.

“We’re prepared to have a tough game, Montpellier is going through a difficult moment, they will bring a lot of intensity against us but we are used to that.

“In Ligue 1, every team is kind of playing the game of their life so it’s going to be hard. We have to perform much better against Saint Etienne to win the game this weekend.”

PSG will have to do without talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the trip to the Stade de la Mosson, with the Swede set to serve the first of his two-game ban.

Ibrahimovic has been in blistering form since making the switch to the French capital, netting 10 goals in 11 games but Chantome is confident the likes of Kevin Gameiro and Ezequiel Lavezzi can step up in his absence.

“Playing without such a player, who gave four assists against (Dinamo) Zagreb, will affect our attack,” he said.

“But we know that we have players who can replace him and they will bring in their own qualities.

“We’ll aim to play the best game possible to win this weekend.”