Jonathan David has admitted he "could not have imagined" he and his Lille teammates would be challenging for the Ligue 1 Uber Eats crown this season ahead of Sunday's clash with title rivals Lyon.
David crossed the border from Belgian side Gent to replace Victor Osimhen in the Lille front line last summer. Though Christophe Galtier's men finished fourth last term, few would have picked them to be leading the table with just five games remaining of the 2020/21 campaign, including David himself.
"At the start of the season, no, I couldn't have imagined it," said the Canada international. "The coach reminded us that we have a real opportunity, that we have to take it now, because we can't be certain to be able to play for the title again in our careers.
"I see that everyone is serious and focussed in training. We work a lot to build understanding and find the means to be able to score more goals. We know Lyon are a team that opens up the game. We like to play on the counter-attack and if there is space, that can help us."
Lille came into Round 34 with a one-point lead over second-placed Paris Saint-Germain, an advantage that will disappear if the reigning French champions get a positive result at Metz on Saturday.
WATCH: Jonathan David, Lille's matchwinner at PSG
With just three points separating Lille from fourth-placed Lyon — and Monaco also sandwiched in between — defeat at the Groupama Stadium could see Galtier's men slip out of the top three and France's UEFA Champions League qualifying places for the first time since Round 4.
"We know very well what can happen. Whatever happens, after this game, there will be four other matches. A bad result could be a big slap in the face, but we'll have to keep playing afterwards, nothing will be over," said David, whose side are unbeaten in their five meetings with their three title rivals so far this season.
"We know the situation and we know there is a little bit of pressure in every game. There is always that concern regarding the league table, which is tight, but the outcome depends on us, we know what can happen. Of course it's impossible to know what will happen, but there is one thing that's certain: we'll give our all so we have no regrets."
David has played all but one league game this season, missing the Round 32 win against Metz after suffering ankle ligament damage in the victory against PSG that was secured thanks to his tenth league goal of the season.
"When I got injured, I really wasn't happy to have to leave my team in such a game. But it was better for me to come off," said the 21-year-old. "The medical staff and I worked really hard to get me fit as quickly as possible."
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