Coach Rudi Garcia is desperate for Lille to show their collective team spirit in their final three games of the Ligue 1 season.

Third-placed Lille kept their slim title hopes alive after Tulio de Melo's early goal gave them a 1-0 victory at Nice in midweek, which narrowed the gap to five points on leaders Montpellier, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Evian.

Les Dogues host lowly Caen on Monday, looking for their fifth consecutive victory and while Garcia, who guided Lille to a league and Coupe de France double last season, has been impressed with his side's attitude in recent weeks, he wants it to continue.

"The squad has stood up to be counted," he said. "There's a strong collective will that has become apparent in recent weeks.

"If we keep this team spirit going then we can allow ourselves all sorts of hopes. The end of season is going to be very exciting and last season's double gave my players a lot of confidence.

"We've got no reason to be calculating, nothing to defend.

"We could finish second and the desire's there to try to do it. It's exciting to be able to say we're in the race for the Champions League places. That's what motivates everybody here."

Midfielder Gregory Proment was delighted Caen moved four points clear of the relegation zone with victory over Lorient on Wednesday.

However, the former Metz man is not in an optimistic mood ahead of the trip to the Stade Metropole.

"We know we will suffer (against Lille), it is certain," said Proment.

"We will go to a somewhat more relaxed than usual because beating Lorient gave us a little breathing room in the standings and because Lille are better than us. There is nothing to say about it."