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Jean-Pierre Papin: 'Montpellier miss Olivier Giroud'

French football legend Jean-Pierre Papin thinks that Montpellier have struggled so far this season because they have failed to replace Olivier Giroud.

Former French international striker and Ballon d'Or winner Jean-Pierre Papin has insisted that Montpellier's early-season struggles are down to the absence of Olivier Giroud.

Montpellier stunned France by winning Ligue 1 last season, pipping big-spending rivals Paris-Saint Germain to the title with Giroud starring in attack.

Papin believes that Rene Girard's side lack a consistent goal threat after selling Giroud to Arsenal during the close season.

He said: "When [Giroud] played, their teammates felt more secure.

"Other teams do not fear Montpellier anymore. They no longer fear that a guy will come along and change everything.

"The players change, but they are not pure goalscorers. They score from time to time, but not in every game [like Giroud]."

Montpellier currently sit bottom of Group B in their debut Champions League campaign and need a result against Olympiakos tonight to keep their slim qualification hopes alive.

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A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG1192033102329
2MonacoMonaco117221881023
3Marseille116232415920
4Lille115421811719
5Lyon115331815318
6Nice1145221111017
7Reims115241915417
8Lens11452129317
9Auxerre115152019116
10Toulouse114341311215
11StrasbourgStrasbourg113442022-213
12Brest114161419-513
13Rennes113261318-511
14NantesNantes112451417-310
15Angers112451320-710
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne113171025-1510
17Le HavreLe Havre11308823-159
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier112181131-207


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