Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim says his side can push favourites Paris-Saint Germain for the Ligue 1 title this season after a fourth straight win on Saturday.
Radamel Falcao's goal and a late Thomas Lemar brace helped Monaco see off Rennes at the Stade Louis II, putting the principality side atop the table with four wins and a draw in five games.
Paris Saint-Germain are three points back after losing to Monaco on Aug. 28, and Jardim is optimistic about ending Les Parisiens' run of four straight titles.
"The favourites for the championship, which is a long-term competition, is Paris," Jardim told L'Equipe.
"We have had a good start. Our team is more balanced. We have more solutions that will balance the championship. But Nice, Lyon and Marseille have also invested in their squads.
"We want to continue with the good results. We want to win the next game. That's why we work.
"When you change the team and the players who enter respond, then it keeps a good atmosphere in the team and the locker room."
Monaco slipped to third at the end of last season on goal difference behind Lyon, but Jardim said this year's squad was much improved over a year ago.
"The game was balanced in the first half. In the second half we were better. There are three clear goals but we scored two goals in the final 10 minutes," the manager said.
"The opponent tried to attack us, allowing us to counter -- 2-0 would have been a logical result.
"This season we have more experience. The team is stronger than last season. But perfection does not exist."