Deschamps: No favours for Montpellier

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps has denied suggestions that he will let Montpellier win their Ligue 1 match on Wednesday.

A win for Montpellier would mean Marseille’s fierce rivals Paris Saint-Germain would fall three points behind at the top of Ligue 1.

But Deschamps dismissed any hope of him fielding a weakened team to aid Montpellier’s quest for the league title.

“For me, as a coach, it is impossible,” Deschamps said. “I am saying it again, impossible.

“I will never prepare my team and tell to the players to go out and lose the game.

“I know what the game means for Montpellier but it is crystal clear that I will never do such a thing. If Montpellier wins it tomorrow, it will be because they deserve it.”

Marseille striker Andre Ayew said he understood the fans wanting PSG not to win the title, but vowed that his team would be professional.

“I do understand that our fans don’t want PSG to be champions,” Ayew said.

“I am from Marseille, so I won’t be happy to see Paris clinch the title. But you know football is like that.

“You don’t know who will be champion. There is a final sprint going on between those two clubs. As far as we are concerned, we will stay professional.

“We will try to build on the good things we’ve shown Sunday and try to bounce back, while keeping in mind that we will play for a title at the end of the week.”