Montpellier HSC boss Rene Girard has described his team's 2-0 win over Nancy as "a breath of fresh air".

The reigning Ligue 1 champions have endured a difficult start to the new campaign, winning just one of their six matches before yesterday's trip to the Stade Marcel Picot.

Second-half goals from Younes Belhanda and Souleymane Camara made sure of the points for the visitors, who moved up to 12th in the Ligue 1 table.

Girard believes that the win will give everybody at the club a lift, but said that the squad must now focus on the Champions League encounter with Bundesliga side Schalke.

"Beforehand we have struggled to get into matches, it's a bit better now," said Girard. "We didn't concede and we scored twice. That will be good for the lads. It's like a breath of fresh air.

"The three points will do everyone good. There will be no hangovers on Sunday but it is good, it's been a while since we have heard a cry of victory, it is good for morale.

"We have a difficult game at Schalke next. We know it will be hard but it is another competition."

La Pallaide shocked French football last year by claiming the Ligue 1 title.