Monaco are struggling to overcome the "bitterness" of their Coupe de la Ligue elimination ahead of Saturday's visit of Troyes, according to boss Francesco Guidolin.

Guidolin's men missed out on a final appearance following a 1-0 semi-final defeat to Nice on Tuesday, while their Ligue 1 form has also been a source of disappointment, with only one win in their last five games.

"This is a big moment of sadness for us because we had a lot of hopes of winning the match and playing the final at the Stade de France," said Guidolin.

"The match was balanced and both teams played well. In the second half we had three opportunities in one minute.

"Then Nice scored. We feel a lot of bitterness, but that's football."

Monaco are eighth in the league but Guidolin insists they could still do well in 2006, starting with the UEFA Cup where they face Swiss side Basle on Thursday in the competition's last 32.

He said: "We have two objectives left, the championship and the UEFA Cup.

"We are going to try to bounce back and make things better. We will work and try to win something."

Guidolin will be deprived of midfielder Gerard Lopez and goalkeeper Flavio Roma (Achilles), while Andreas Zikos is ill.

Striker Christian Vieri, has shaken off a knee problem and will start.

Troyes coach Jean-Marc Furlan is without Georges Ba and Christian Nade who are both suspended, whereas Sebastien Grax (groin) and Florian Boucansaud (knee) were rested this week and will be part of the squad travelling to the south of France.

Troyes are on a run of three straight defeats and are lying one place off the relegation zone.