Girard expects full-strength Marseille

Montpellier coach Rene Girard has rejected suggestions Marseille will give less than their best when the teams meet in Ligue 1 on Wednesday.

Girard’s side top the table on goal difference from Paris Saint-Germain, and have played one match fewer than their immediate rivals.

Marseille meanwhile are in dire form after losing 10 of their last 11 matches in all competitions.

They have a Coupe de la Ligue final against Lyon coming up on Saturday, and may be set to rest key players in the home match with Montpellier.

But Girard dismissed claims Marseille would intentionally lie down at the Stade Velodrome.

“I don’t think so,” he said when asked if the hosts would be intentionally below-par.

“It’s a reflection of the media frenzy of today: saying nonsense and initiating suspicion everywhere. Those who have started this are completely stupid.

“It’s logical that the Marseille fans would want us to be champion rather than PSG.

“But losing a game – the game between us – when you are a competitor, you don’t even think about it. But, it’s annoying that journalists always want to find a controversy.

“I’d rather laugh about the controversy.

“No, what’s annoying is that football doesn’t need this kind of thing. It’s a football game, we are playing in Marseille.

I”t’s true it’s easier to talk about that, I’d rather talk about the game, the players, what we are going to see on the pitch.”

Contrary to common consensus, Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud feels Marseille could even raise their game on Wednesday in an attempt to restore their battered reputation.

“It’s a game like any other, with three points to play for,” Giroud said.

“It’s going to be difficult for Marseille – they have lost against PSG.

“The Marseille fans are going to be very demanding until the end of the season because they have lost the ‘clasico’ and it’s important for them.

“So they will be waiting for us, it’s going to be a tough game.

“Playing Marseille in the Velodrome is never an easy task, even if they are not playing as well these days, it won’t be easy winning over there.”