Montpellier´s Jourdren calls for calm

Montpellier goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren has urged his team-mates to remain calm as the Ligue 1 title race draws to its conclusion.

Rene Girard’s Montpellier have proved unlikely challengers this season, and sit first on the table, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain on goal difference.

With his team’s hold on top spot precarious, Jourdren has warned his colleagues they must be careful as they enter the most critical part of the season.

“There are still a lot of matches to play,” Jourdren told Goal.com.

“It’s good to be first in the table, but we have to be careful because the teams behind us can catch up quickly.

“However, we don’t feel any pressure, because our goal is to finish in the top five. If we’re at the top of the table, it’s only positive.

“We all have the ambition of staying at the top, but, like I said, that doesn’t put any extra pressure on us. At the moment, we’re taking it match by match, without asking questions of ourselves.”

While the players are apparently realistic about their chances, Jourdren said the team’s unexpected challenge has greatly excited the Montpellier supporters.

“The people who I cross in the street are very happy with our results and our performances,” he said.

“They see that Montpellier are joint-top of the table with PSG, and they inevitable think that we’re going to become champions of France.

“I tell them that it’s very tough. The most important thing is that we remain high up the table until the end, in the top five. People want us to be champions, but they must stay calm because it’s hard.”

Montpellier and PSG are both seven points clear of defending champions Lille, who are third.