Reims coach Hubert Fournier has praised his side for their effort in beating Monaco 1-0 in the Coupe de la Ligue on Wednesday night.

Fournier said that the recent results his side have managed as one of the smaller teams in the league is a big achievement for his players.

"It is really satisfying," he told Ligue1.com. "To beat Marseille away and then beat Monaco is a major achievement when you look at our budget. We were superb in the first half. It was probably our best 45 minutes of football this season, although we suffered more in the second half.

"We were a bit lucky with the two shots off the bar. It was a lovely evening and it shows that our squad is reasonably strong. We have no secret to beat the 'giants'. These are matches when you need to really push yourself and that is what we have been able to do.

"The players are very happy and they have every reason to be. Congratulations to them. These performances show that we deserve to be in Ligue 1. We have little means but a wild desire to stay there."

Reims are currently 10th in Ligue 1.