LOSC Lille coach Rudi Garcia has demanded his side play for local bragging rights when they host Valenciennes on Saturday night.
The clubs are just 32 miles apart and there will be a derby flavour at the Stade Metropole with Lille in the unusual position of having to play second-fiddle to their near-neighbours.
Garcia’s side are 14th with Valenciennes eight places and seven points better off.
The Lille boss said: “This derby matters greatly.
“We are lucky to have a squad with some players who have come through the club and understand the history.
“A clash between two clubs in the same region, it should excite everyone.
“And we want to take all three points.”
He knows it will be a difficult game against a side who have surpassed expectations this season.
“We are aware of the difficulty of the task before us tomorrow against a Valenciennes side full of confidence,” he added.
“We are not drawing up a specific strategy but the determination must be great.”
VA have a strong squad to choose from – much to the delight of coach Philippe Montanier.
He told the club’s official website: “Having 17 or 18 fit players is always helpful.
“It unfortunately does not guarantee us a result but we are well stocked.”
Montanier is expecting a close game and believes the flair players could make the difference.
He added: “There is not much difference between VA and Lille. We player similarly, with a zonal defence. After that, it is the individuals which will make the difference.”
VA striker Johan Audel has dismissed suggestions Lille are the underdogs.
“Lille beat Bordeaux (in their last home game) so we will not start as favourites,” he said.
“Also it’s a derby and they will be determined to make up for their early season difficulties and their defeat to Montpellier (last weekend).
“We are hoping for a big performance and we will try to maintain the standards set in previous matches.
“We know Lille are difficult to play against because they have several attacking options.”
