Girard admits pressure is building

Montpellier coach Rene Girard admits the pressure is mounting on his players as they close in on a possible first Ligue 1 title.

La Paillade are two points clear at the top of the standings with five games still to go ad they face a tricky trip to Toulouse on Friday night looking for the three points that will keep second place Paris Saint Germain at bay. The club have played down their title chances all season, preferring to fly under the radar in the battle with the big-spending Parisians. But as the business end of the season approaches, there is no doubt that they have a great chance of landing the spoils, and Girard feels that his young side will have to cope with the expectation over the next few weeks. "There is added pressure on us," he said. "We need to learn to deal with it. We are a young team, enjoying a third excellent season together, but we have not proven anything yet. "I tell the players every day that we have not won anything. We are two points clear with 15 left to play for."