This half meeting of the 10th day of Ligue 2 really didn't have the flavor of a Corsican derby. Obviously, the sanction of playing these remaining fifty minutes, behind closed doors, probably did not help to excite the viewer.
This “kick-off” carried out by a jump-start set the tone fora strange evening, not to say lunar. “I hope I never experience that again. It wasn’t Football.”testified the Bastia coach, Benoît Tavenot, after the game.
These players, like those of his aceist counterpart, Mathieu Chabert, nevertheless tried to make as if everything was normal. After three minutes and a change of sides, it was the Bastiais who opened the hostilities. A direct corner from Maggiotti forced Sollacaro to clear the hot ball with a tap. The ACA responded with a failed duel between Anziani and Placide. It was very poor in a half otherwise sterilely dominated by the Bears. The latter still failed to correct their offensive problems. Bamba's point-blank attempt, flying into the air, did not reassure them.
Also read. Football: change of context for the derby between AC Ajaccio and SC Bastia
Ultimately, the Ajaccian team did not succeed in chasing away the demons which, despite themselves, have stuck to their skin since the start of this exercise. The ACA in fact first ended the meeting with ten people, after the logical expulsion of Puch, for a tackle from behind on Meynadier, three minutes from the end. Then, in added time, this same Meynadier was guilty of a stroll on Soumano, in his own penalty area. But Mr. Thual, the referee of this meeting, and his assistants, were the only ones not to see this fault. The scenario therefore repeats itself for the two formations who have both taken only four points in the last five meetings.
The podiums
ACA
1.Sollacaro. The aceist goalkeeper made the necessary saves to keep his team in the match. Determining his line, he was also uncompromising in his outings. In line with his last matches, he has undoubtedly shown that he is the boss of the ACA defense.
2.Vidal. With the captain's armband on his arm, the central defender gained respect on his back line. He knew how to puff out his chest when necessary, particularly in the face of the restless Cissé, without falling into the trap of provocation.
3.Youssouf. The Ajaccian full-back held his lane with all the experience that characterizes him. Rarely found wanting, he also knew how to project himself forward to try to bring the surplus into the offensive sector.
SCB
1.Placid. Like his Ajaccian counterpart, he held his position and kept his goal scoreless. Solid and alert, he never seemed in danger and, on the contrary, displayed a very beautiful serenity.
2.Drive. The Bastia captain was, once again, the boss of Sporting's defense. Always well placed, he thwarted Ajaccian offensive plans with authority.
3. Janneh. The athletic midfielder did a lot of work in the midfield. He recovered a good number of balls and was uncompromising in his ball protection.
The reactions
Mathieu Chabert (ACA coach): “We really did what we wanted to do. We missed that little bit of success. We have to hang on because it’s with content like this that we’re going to take points. The championship is not over. Of course we look at the balance sheet but we also look at what we produce and it is with performances like this that we will win matches.”
Benoît Tavenot (SCB coach): “I don't even know how to analyze this match. It didn't look like much. Both teams didn't know how to approach this match. If this is the rule, we have to change it. We ran a bit, l ACA too. Honestly, I didn't have the instructions this evening.”
Sad atmosphere
Although we were aware that this match was being held behind closed doors, we still felt a certain disappointment when we witnessed the island players enter the field, in absolute silence. Last night, once again, everyone was punished because of the detestable behavior of some. A football match should remain a party. Unfortunately, some people continue to forget that football is a sport and that sport is, above all, a game.
A minute of silence despite the ban
A minute of silence was observed last night, in tribute to Thierry Riccodied tragically a few days ago in Balagne. The LFP having not given authorization for this to take place, just before the resumption of the match, the two clubs had chosen to observe a moment of reflection, at the end of the warm-up session. “The LFP can in no way force us to renounce our culture and our traditions”, declared before the meeting, Alain Orsoni, president of the holding company, majority shareholder of the ACA, present last night at the stadium.
AC Ajaccio – SC Bastia: 0-0 Stade Michel Moretti Fresh weather, good grass, closed houses. Referee: Mr. Thual assisted by MM. Rodrigues and El Hamzoui. Warnings: Everson (1st), Huard (20th), Bamba (67th), Ibayi (78th) for Ajaccio. Janneh (80th) for Bastia. Expulsion: Puch (87th) for Ajaccio. ACA : Sollacaro – Youssouf, Bamba, Vidal (c), Strata – Soumano, Puch, Everson, Anziani (Barreto 82nd) - Touré B., Ibayi (Kanté 90th). Coach: Mr. Chabert. SCB : Placide – Meynadier, Roncaglia, Guidi (c), Ariss – Janneh, Ducrocq – Tramoni, Maggiotti, Boutrah – Cisse. Coach: B. Tavenot.
