Nice vs Guingamp preview - Bautheac: We'll miss absent fans
Posted Friday, March 13, 2015 by PA
Nice midfielder Eric Bautheac admits his side will have to find a "different source of motivation" when they host Guingamp behind closed doors on Friday.
Nice have been ordered to play the Ligue 1 fixture in an empty stadium as punishment for the fans letting off flares during their derby match with Marseille in January.
Bautheac has played without supporters before, when Nice faced Rennes in August 2013, and he concedes it will be a significant disadvantage.
"Against Rennes, we could hear everything on the field," Bautheac told OGCNice.com.
"In an empty stadium, it's harder because you have to find a different source of motivation. You do not have a sound, it's really a strange feeling.
"It will be hard for us to go into this match without the support of our supporters. This is an advantage for the opponent because we really need our fans - when they push us, we tend to play above ourselves.
"We will try do that without them."
The punishment comes as an untimely blow for Nice, who have slipped to 15th in the table and within five points of the relegation zone following three straight defeats.
Guingamp, only one point ahead of Nice, are fighting for survival as well, having also lost their last three consecutive league games.
Nice defender Romain Genevois insists the team will give everything to jump above their opponents, even without their fans in attendance.
"It's harder to prepare for a closed game," Genevois said.
"Even when you have away fans, the atmosphere is hot, it stings you and makes you try harder.
"When you are in the stadium, our fans are a great asset, they push us and encourage us to give our all.
"They will not be here Friday but we will have them in a corner of our head, we will still give everything to win."
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