Maxwell anticipates key clash

Paris Saint-Germain defender Maxwell knows the onus is on his team to respond after Montpellier took a three-point lead atop Ligue 1.

League leaders Montpellier went clear at the top thanks to a 3-1 win away to Marseille on Wednesday.

The front-runners can go six points clear with a victory at Lorient on Sunday.

And PSG will need maximum points from their trip to Auxerre later the same day if they are to keep the pressure on Rene Girard’s unlikely title contenders.

“To be honest, I have not watched the game (between Marseille and Montpellier) but the result shows they (Montpellier) were better and now we have to fight back,” Maxwell said.

“I think it is all between us and them and now they have three points advantage and we will try to change this situation.

PSG recorded their own crucial win over Marseille last Sunday, beating Didier Deschamps’ strugglers 2-1 at home.

Brazilian fullback Maxwell said the victory, PSG’s first in five matches, was an important morale boost going into the end-of-season run-in.

“It was a key win for us, we needed a good result and those big matches always change the way you feel when you win,” Maxwell said.

“We have been always fighting for the title, but after that game our motivation is higher and the atmosphere is much better, we are happier and I hope we keep it until the end.

“We have the responsibility to win, the supporters want it, we want it as well and it would be a huge disappointment if we do not finish as champions.

“For both of us – PSG and Montpellier – every single match now on is like a final, every point is important and even more important for us because we are behind them, therefore we cannot lose any point.

“Now is the time to be absolutely focused and to fight for every point on the pitch.”