Montpellier vs Paris Saint Germain - Frederic Hantz turns on Montpellier squad

Posted Friday, December 02, 2016 by PA

Montpellier manager Frederic Hantz has taken a fresh swipe at his players ahead of their Ligue 1 clash with in-form Paris St Germain.

Hantz turned on his squad after Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Toulouse left them only two points above the relegation zone.

The former Bastia boss questioned his players' competitive nature and said Montpellier needed to "rediscover our humility very quickly."

Montpellier have slipped to 14th spot after winning only one of their last six league games and on Saturday evening entertain PSG who have won 10 and drawn two of their last 12 games.

"There is a lack of defensive concentration and offensive inventiveness, the conclusion is clear for everyone," Hantz said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

"This is a game we play first to not lose, and then we can try to win over the (course of the) game.

"We know it will be hard, but we have to face it and bring the fans with us."

Asked about Montpellier's target this season, Hantz replied: "I set myself a goal of points in my head but I have not communicated it to the players."

Montpellier have not beaten PSG in 12 league meetings - their last victory over the Parisians coming in May 2010 - and are handicapped by an extensive list of absentees.

Anthony Vanden Borre, Jerome Roussillon, Geoffrey Jourdren and Yacouba Sylla are all injured and Stephane Sessegnon suspended, but Souleymane Camara and Mathieu Deplagne are available.

With Ligue 1 leaders Nice not playing Toulouse until Sunday night, PSG will take over at the summit if they avoid defeat at the Stade de la Mosson.

They are set to be boosted by the return of Angel Di Maria, who was among the unused substitutes for Wednesday's 2-0 home victory against Angers.

Argentina winger Di Maria has missed the last three games since suffering a thigh injury two weeks ago.

Serge Aurier and Marquinhos could also return after being rested on the back of the 2-1 win at Lyon last weekend.

Edinson Cavani became the fourth player to score 100 goals for PSG in midweek.

But the Uruguayan insists he is not focusing on breaking Zlatan Ibrahimovic's club record of 156 after being presented with a trophy to mark his achievement by PSG director of football Patrick Kluivert.

"I'm thinking about the team and thinking about myself," Cavani said after scoring his 19th goal of the season.

"I think about PSG and doing the best for the club. The rest belongs to the future.

The most important thing is that we win together and lift trophies.

"A striker lives for goals and, for me, scoring is everything."