Garde calls for calm, focus

Montpellier coach Remi Garde has urged his team to stay focused ahead of their clash against Evian TG on Tuesday.

Garde’s men are closing in on a first ever Ligue 1 title, sitting five points clear at the top with four matches remaining.

But despite their healthy advantage, Garde said it was important his side avoided thinking they had the title wrapped up.

“All of these are numbers, papers, and words — all hypothetical. For my part, I am interested in what will happen at the end, which is the 20th of May,” Garde said on Monday.

“It is true this morning I did not come in singing and dancing. I did not open the champagne in my office because there is no reason, I am concerned for tomorrow.

“We have to prepare the game against Evian and most importantly, we can’t think that we have done it already. We can’t miss winning the league because we were not vigilant.”

Montpellier meet an in-form Evian side, who have won three of their last four matches to move into ninth.

Garde has set his team the target of winning all four of their remaining matches, including clashes with Lille and Stade Rennes, who are third and fourth respectively.

“We will know the 20th of May if we needed these 12 points or not,” he said.

“Today when I do the maths, I take the total of PSG, the total of Lille and I add them 12 points, and we will see what will happens.

“But for us I do not add these 12 points. The suspense remains.”