France coach Fabien Galthie on Friday insisted Italy were capable of winning the Six Nations as he named his team to face the Azzurri on Sunday.
But Quesada said it is too soon to expect such a leap from a team whose highest previous finish was fourth.
"The reality is that Italy are concerned primarily with our performance, with everything we can improve, the words 'compete', 'consistency'," Quesada said.
"As for the championship, we leave that for France, England, Ireland, even Scotland," he added.
"But, it's a great compliment."
"This year, we've had the good fortune that two of the best coaches in the world, if not the best two -- Rassie Erasmus and Fabien Galthie -- have said nice things about us," said Quesada.
"And I don't think that Fabien needs to relieve some pressure with statements like that. I believe that he thinks it. It's really nice."
Erasmus, the head coach of world champions South Africa, said he thought Italy could finish second or third in the Six Nations -- in 26 previous editions, they have finished fourth once, fifth seven times and picked up the wooden spoon on the other 18 occasions.
"For us, there are two objectives on Sunday: to be consistent for the first time in the tournament -- because we've never managed to produce five consistent matches -- to really compete with every team we play against.... and to play our game," said Quesada.
He is wary of what can happen against the dazzling French -- who have sparkled in their first two matches of the tournament, particularly in the opening 40 minutes of each.
"The danger is that they gain confidence too quickly. If after 10-15 minutes they manage to get a lead... if they liberate themselves, like in the first two matches, it will become difficult to stop them."
France led Ireland 19-0 at half-time and were 26-7 up on Wales in their two matches so far, before going on to secure 36-14 and 54-12 victories.
And last year the French ran riot in Rome, scoring 11 tries in a 73-24 thrashing.
But just two years ago, also in Lille, Italy fly-half Paolo Garbisi could have secured a famous victory with the last kick of the match, only to boot his penalty against the post in a 13-13 draw -- the first time in the Six Nations that the Azzurri had avoided defeat away to France.