Bastia, Nantes share a point in a scoreless draw

Nantes held at Bastia

Nantes continued their topsy-turvy start to the season as they were held to a goalless draw by Ligue 1 strugglers Bastia at the Stade Armand Cesari on Wednesday night.

The hosts, who have won just one match so far this term - a 1-0 win over Toulouse in Corsica last month - at least managed to keep their second clean sheet as they fended off a penalty and fought on with 10 men for the majority of the match after Yannick Cahuzac saw red five minutes before the break.

The point moved Nantes level on points with fifth-placed Metz, while it meant a leap out of the relegation zone for Bastia, who are now 16th.

Chaker Alhadhur had a good chance to hand the visitors the lead after 12 minutes but his 25-yard effort flew harmlessly over the bar in the only action of note in a quiet opening quarter of an hour.

Just after the half-hour mark, the Canaries pressed forward for the second time as Issa Cissokho burst into the 18-yard box after being released by Lucas Deaux but - from a tight angle - the full-back saw his effort kept out by on-loan Paris St Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

After 39 minutes Nantes were awarded a penalty after N'Koudou was hauled down in the box by Mathieu Peybernes. In the melee Cahuzac was shown a straight red card for being too aggressive towards the referee.

Chaker Alhadhur stepped up to take the spot-kick but Areola stood strong and chose right as he saved the 22-year-old's effort to keep the scores level at the break.

Areola was called upon again midway through the second half as Serge Gakpe found Cissokho on the right side of the penalty box and his pull back found Alejandro Bedoya, but the American international's effort was held out by.

Deep into the second period Bastia midfielder Romaric made a mistake and gifted Yacine Bammou with a shooting opportunity but, not for the first time in the match, the impressive Areola was on hand to keep the away side at bay.

The Blues almost had the chance to steal a win in the dying minutes as Juan Pino got free on the wing and his powerful delivery towards Hervin Ongenda almost caught out visiting keeper Remy Riou - but he made a great reflex save to prevent the 10 men taking the lead as the points were shared.

Late Gillet goal saves Bastia from RC Lens 1-1

Guillaume Gillet scored the equalizing goal...

Bastia and Lens share the spoils following 1-1 draw

By Christopher Dodd, Reporter

Filed: Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 20:57 UK

Last Updated: Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 23:38 UK

Bastia and Lens have drawn 1-1 in Ligue 1 this evening after Guillaume Gillet's second-half goal cancelled out Pablo Chavarria's opener at the Stade Armand Cesari.

Lens were the first side to threaten when Lalaina Nomenjanahary picked out Chavarria, but he somehow could only skew the ball wide of goal from the six-yard box.

The away side sought to hit back despite being limited in their attacking play, with Ryad Boudebouz letting fly from distance with an effort which flew just over the crossbar.

Lens went a goal to the good five minutes before the break as Chavarria made amends by tucking into the bottom corner, following a cross from Wylan Cyprien.

However, Bastia mounted a fightback after the break, leaving Gillet to latch on to Mathieu Peybernes's cross and convert into the bottom corner to earn his side a point.

Bastia earn its first Ligue 1 win over Toulouse

Sports Mole UK Football 

By Christopher Dodd, Reporter

Filed: Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 20:56 UK

Last Updated: Sunday, August 24, 2014 at 18:54 UK

Bastia have earned their first win of the Ligue 1 season after Ryad Boudebouz's first-half penalty saw them to a slender 1-0 victory over Toulousethis evening.

Toulouse were the first to threaten as Wissam Ben Yedder saw his shot fly past the post, before Bastia's Floyd Ayite had an attempt heading for the bottom corner saved by Alphonse Areola.

The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute when Francois Moubandje handled in the box, allowing Boudebouz to convert from the spot.

Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro provided a perfect cross for Martin Braithwaite, but the Toulouse striker failed to capitalise as he headed over the crossbar.

Ben Yedder did all in his power to try and prevent the hosts from taking all of the points as he crossed for Aleksandar Pesic, who tamely dragged wide to allow Bastia to claim a hard-fought victory.

Paris Saint Germain earned a 2-0 victroy over Bastia in headbutt marred game

Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring PSG's second goal

Daily Mirror

Zlatan Ibrahimovic lasted just 15 minutes in Paris Saint-Germain's 2-0 win over Bastia.  News of the Swedish striker's injury will come as a major blow to manager Laurent Blanc as the French outfit have already lost captain Thiago Silva to a hamstring injury.  Ibrahimovic's new team-mate David Luiz helped his side claim all three points against Bastia as the former Chelsea defender was part of a back four which kept a clean sheet at Parc des Princes.

Luiz was previously mocked - most notably by Gary Neville - for his defensive play however the 27-year-old formed a solid partnership with his fellow countryman Marquinhos.

Yet another Brazilian made the headlines as Lucas grabbed the opener after just 26 minutes before Edinson Cavani doubled his side's lead.

Luiz will be hoping he can prove his doubters wrong this season by forming a solid partnership with Silva.

The former Benfica star, who is the world's most expensive defender, was allowed to leave Stamford Bridge as Jose Mourinho was not too keen on playing Luiz at centre-back. 

Chelsea boss Mourinho said earlier this month that his side will be going into the new season better off without the services of Luiz. 

Paris Saint Germain firms grip on French Ligue title beat Bastia 3-0

sokkaa.com

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ezequiel Lavezzi scored as Paris Saint-Germain strengthened their lead at the top of Ligue 1 after recording a 3-0 victory over Bastia on Saturday to increase the lead over second-placed Monaco looking healthy.

The Former Milan striker headed in Lucas Moura’s  cross to give the capital club an early lead just after six minutes with a goal that brought up PSG’s century and marked his 38th of the season in all competition.

Ezequiel Lavezzi smashed in the second in the 19th minute when Ibrahimovic  produced an acrobatic back-heel which saw the ball land in Lavezzi’s path and the former Napoli man finished well from 18 yards, under the Bastia keeper.

The Parisiens  were able to cruise through the remainder of the match but still managed to add a third through Lavezzi late on as they edged ever closer to a second successive league crown.

Blanc’s men are eight points clear of second-placed Monaco, who kept pace with a 2-1 home win against relegation battlers Sochaux while Bastia played four straight league games without a win.