Lyon playmaker Juninho admits his side are playing for third place in Ligue 1 as they prepare for Tuesday's visit of Nantes.
The seven-time defending champions have won just once in their last five matches, a victory over Le Mans at the start of April, to slip seven points behind the pace set by Marseille and Bordeaux.
With four rounds remaining, Claude Puel's men are not out of the title race but Juninho accepts they are unlikely to win any silverware this season having clinched a league and Coupe De France double last campaign.
"Bordeaux and Marseille are out in front, it is no less than they deserve," the Brazilian told www.olweb.fr.
"We simply have to play better and find a win against Nantes which will keep us in third place," Juninho added, although he does not see their disappointing form as a reason to criticise the club.
"When we were champions, we did not become the best team in the history of French football. Therefore we need to avoid making a drama out of the situation.
"It's not all bad. We've just dropped too many points at home. I don't know why that is."
Juninho is expected to play some part agains Nantes having recovered from an adductor injury, while Sidney Govou is also winning his fitness battle.
Nantes have form worries of their own and sit third from bottom in a close battle to avoid the drop.
Much of the build-up to tomorrow's match has been centred on the future of coach Elie Baup, although he is focused solely on Ligue 1 survival.
"My mission is to keep us up," Baup said.
"A coach's job is a tough one. We live week to week. We don't decide anything. I have to hide all these thoughts and think only of the next match.
"There will be plenty of time later to discuss things with those who hire me if they want to discuss things with me."
Loic Guillon and Thomas Dossevi return to the squad following injuries but midfielder Aurelien Capoue (leg) has been ruled out.
