Benjamin Andre wants Lille to keep their eyes fixed on a top-three finish in Ligue 1 Uber Eats as the midfielder prepares for a reunion with former side Rennes in Sunday's mouthwatering encounter in Brittany.
How do you explain your consistency?
"The team is very consistent, so that helps. With Jose [Fonte] and Burak [Yilmaz], we have a little bit of a different role. We have that experience, we know the demands of Ligue 1, we know a season is very long and that you have to perform long-term. We try to be as consistent and as reassuring as possible for the team. When the team is going well, everyone pulls in the same direction."
Is the trip to Rennes a turning point?
"Rennes are a team that likes to get the ball down and play, that has possession, which opens up the game, so I think it'll be an open game. It could be a turning point, but I don't think it'll decide anything, because there are still a lot of matches to play. It's a very important game, everyone is aware of that, but it's not necessarily going to decide who finishes in the top three."
Did you expect that you and Lyon would be keeping pace with Paris Saint-Germain after 20 games?
"No, it's a bit of a strange year, because we've had a great run, but there are other teams playing well, like OL, Rennes or even Monaco, who aren't far behind. To have 42 points at this stage, we've not really realised it, but it's actually a great effort. Paris are used to that and have to be at this level, but for Lille, it's not usual and it won't happen often, so it's very very positive."
Are Paris Saint-Germain still favourites for the title? Would you be happy to finish on the podium?
"Of course Paris are still the big favourites. The aim of the club is to be in the top three and get back into the Champions League. Paris are untouchable, but if Paris aren't playing quite as well…we have to be ready. We're trying to take whatever we can get. Every game is difficult, so we have to be really focussed, have belief, and throw ourselves completely into this battle."
Are you worried about February in which you'll have the league, the Coupe de France and the Europa League?
"If you look at the fixture list, it's not that it makes you afraid, but you do say to yourself that there's a lot of games. But having said that, our best periods have come when we've been playing every three days. We'll have had three full weeks to recover and work hard, so I think we're ready to face up to this period. We're going to give our all on all fronts, because we have hope in every competition."
Is it special for you to return to Rennes, where you played between 2014 and 2019?
"Of course, Rennes is something special. I have a lot of friends there, even outside of football. There's a lot of great memories, like the Coupe de France victory, the connection with everyone there. There's always a strong emotion when I play Rennes."
Do you think Rennes have taken a step up since you left?
"I think Rennes have taken on another dimension. You see it in their investments, their results, and their objectives. They're now setting goals which are completely different to those when I was there. They're working very well, they're a good team and it's great for Ligue 1 because it brings up the overall standard. I wish them the very best, even if when we play them, there are no friends!"
