Ibrahimovic brace leads PSG past Bastia

AFP, PARIS: Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s second-half brace guided Paris Saint-Germain to a 2-0 victory at Bastia on Sunday as the reigning champions extended their unbeaten start to the campaign. Ibrahimovic slotted home the opener on 72 minutes at the Stade Armand Cesari after he was set up by Edinson Cavani despite the Uruguayan being offside in the build-up.
The Swede then netted his second of the contest seven minutes from time as Paris registered their fourth straight league win and avenged last season’s shock 4-2 defeat in Corsica. It was a far from convincing performance from Laurent Blanc’s men but the result kept Paris five points clear of Angers and Caen at the top. Goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu made his first start of the season in place of the injured Kevin Trapp, while PSG were also without Blaise Matuidi due to suspension as well as injured duo Marco Verratti and David Luiz.
Meanwhile, Angel di Maria was rested ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash at home to Real Madrid with Adrien Rabiot and Benjamin Stambouli handed starts in central midfield. Rabiot then planted a header straight at Leca following a corner but Paris eventually made the breakthrough, albeit in controversial circumstances. Cavani latched on to a clipped ball over the top from Pastore and then showed excellent composure as he teed up Ibrahimovic to slot home from close range, but Bastia were left feeling aggrieved as replays indicated the Uruguayan was in a clear offside position as he broke in behind the defence.
The Swede then made the points safe on 83 minutes with his second straight brace, having netted both goals in a 2-1 win over bitter rivals Marseille before the international break, as he tucked away a cutback from Serge Aurier. Elsewhere, second-placed Angers continued their remarkable return to the French top flight as goals from Cheikh Ndoye and Abdoul Camara saw them win 2-1 at Toulouse after falling behind to an Oscar Trejo strike. Caen stayed third, level on points with Angers, as Julien Feret’s second-half effort steered them to a 1-0 victory away to Reims.
Saint-Etienne bounced back from consecutive defeats with Robert Beric and Kevin Monnet-Paquet on target in a 2-0 win over bottom side Gazelec Ajaccio. Goals from Valentin Rongier, Youssouf Sabaly and Yacine Bammou steered Nantes to a 3-0 victory over Troyes, while Guingamp striker Jimmy Briand cancelled out Sofiane Boufal’s opener for Lille in a 1-1 draw.

 

Ibrahimovic brace leads PSG past Bastia

AFP, PARIS: Zlatan Ibrahimovics second-half brace guided Paris Saint-Germain to a 2-0 victory at Bastia on Sunday as the reigning champions extended their unbeaten start to the campaign. Ibrahimovic slotted home the opener on 72 minutes at the Stade Armand Cesari after he was set up by Edinson Cavani despite the Uruguayan being offside in the build-up. The Swede then netted his second of the contest seven minutes from time as Paris registered their fourth straight league win and avenged last seasons shock 4-2 defeat in Corsica. It was a far from convincing performance from Laurent Blancs men but the result kept Paris five points clear of Angers and Caen at the top. Goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu made his first start of the season in place of the injured Kevin Trapp, while PSG were also without Blaise Matuidi due to suspension as well as injured duo Marco Verratti and David Luiz. Meanwhile, Angel di Maria was rested ahead of Wednesdays Champions League clash at home to Real Madrid with Adrien Rabiot and Benjamin Stambouli handed starts in central midfield. Rabiot then planted a header straight at Leca following a corner but Paris eventually made the breakthrough, albeit in controversial circumstances. Cavani latched on to a clipped ball over the top from Pastore and then showed excellent composure as he teed up Ibrahimovic to slot home from close range, but Bastia were left feeling aggrieved as replays indicated the Uruguayan was in a clear offside position as he broke in behind the defence. The Swede then made the points safe on 83 minutes with his second straight brace, having netted both goals in a 2-1 win over bitter rivals Marseille before the international break, as he tucked away a cutback from Serge Aurier. Elsewhere, second-placed Angers continued their remarkable return to the French top flight as goals from Cheikh Ndoye and Abdoul Camara saw them win 2-1 at Toulouse after falling behind to an Oscar Trejo strike. Caen stayed third, level on points with Angers, as Julien Ferets second-half effort steered them to a 1-0 victory away to Reims. Saint-Etienne bounced back from consecutive defeats with Robert Beric and Kevin Monnet-Paquet on target in a 2-0 win over bottom side Gazelec Ajaccio. Goals from Valentin Rongier, Youssouf Sabaly and Yacine Bammou steered Nantes to a 3-0 victory over Troyes, while Guingamp striker Jimmy Briand cancelled out Sofiane Boufals opener for Lille in a 1-1 draw.