Nice coach Galtier urges players to respect Versailles in Coupe de France semi

Nice boss Christophe Galtier warned his squad to remain focused and on their guard during their Coupe de France semi-final against fourth tier FC Versailles on Tuesday night at the Allianz Riviera.

Christophe Galtier led Lille to the 2021 Ligue 1 title before taking over at Nice who could reach the final of the Coupe de France if they overcome fourth division FC Versailles. AFP/File

The match was drawn to be played at the Stade Montbauron in Versailles. But with a capacity of less than 8,000 places and concerns over damage to the nearby Chateau de Versailles, organisers of the competition agreed for the tie to be relocated to the Allianz Riviera which can accommodate nearly 36,000 spectators.

"It's a shame for them that they cannot play at home," said Galtier. "Obviously it's good for us to be at the Allianz Riviera ... but that said we'll be up against a team that has played well to be in the semi-final.

"They pose lots of threats and just because we're at home, we can't think we're superior. We will have to respect them."

Ambitions

Nice, who lie third in Ligue 1 after 26 games, are in a dogfight with Marseille for second spot and direct qualification for next season's Uefa Champions League.

Victory on Tuesday night will send them to Coupe de France final for the first time since 1997 when they beat Guingamp on penalties to lift the trophy for the third time. Versailles are in unchartered waters.

Despite the chance for unprecedented glory, Versailles boss Youssef Chibhi said the side's priority this season remained promotion to the third division.

However, he conceded the Coupe de France run had galvanised the campaign.

"We're the underdogs for this game," Chibhi added. "Nice are in the top flight and we're in the fourth division. Nice are the big boys. We're going to try to annoy them a bit but they have everything to reach the Stade de France."

Galtier admitted Nice's status has heaped the pressure on his players who will be without their skipper Dante due to suspension. Striker Justin Kluivert will also miss the game after being sent off against Strasbourg on Saturday in Ligue 1.

"We're not going to the Allianz Arena to watch Nice play," said Versailles midfielder Diego Michel. "We're going there to win this game and get to the final."

If the minnows succeed, they will be the first fourth division side to reach the showdown since Calais in 2000.