Soccer-We must feel no pressure in French Cup final, says Nice coach Galtier

PARIS (Reuters) - Nice will contest Saturday's French Cup final against Nantes without any pressure even though they have not won a senior trophy in 25 years, coach Christophe Galtier said on Friday.

Nice won their last silverware when they lifted the French Cup in 1997, and since then their youth side claimed a trophy when they won the Gambardella Cup in 2012.

"It's not often that OGC Nice have been able to win this trophy or participate in a French Cup final. It has a special flavour. But no pressure," Galtier, who won the now-defunct French League Cup as a coach with St Etienne nine years ago, told a news conference.

"I expect my players to feel no pressure. It must be nothing but pleasure, with a total investment in this match to make all the club's employees and supporters proud and happy.

"There must be no pressure."

Nice are fifth in the Ligue 1 standings with three games left and are still in the running to qualify for next season's Champions League. Should they miss out on qualifying for Europe's premier club competition by finishing outside the top-three in Ligue 1, victory on Saturday would at least send them into the Europa League group stage.

Nice, who lost three of six league games - winning only one - in the space of six weeks during March-April, have regained confidence just in time for the Cup final with two league victories in a row.

"This is not the time to try to invent something. We have our own path. A few weeks ago we were sick, and sick indeed. Now we're feeling a bit better. As we approach this game, I've seen a lot more energy, solidarity and commitment, both individually and collectively from the group," said Galtier, who last season led Lille to the Ligue 1 title.

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