Reims vs Bastia. French Ligue 1.
Auguste Delaune.
Sunday 13 January 2013 16:31, UK
Reims remain in relegation trouble as they went down to a 2-1 home defeat against Bastia.
Reims remain in relegation trouble as they went down to a 2-1 home defeat against Bastia. The visitors went into a two-goal lead thanks to Ilan's opener and Florian Thauvin's effort just after half-time. Gaetan Courtet gave Reims hope shortly after the hour mark, but they could not find a leveller and remain looking over their shoulder. The hosts started well and Odair Fortes pounced on a short backpass by Anthony Modeste, but goalkeeper Mickael Landreau pulled off an excellent reflex save to deny him. Instead Bastia went ahead in the 21st minute, Jerome Rothen linking well with Thauvin and then crossing to the far post where Ilan fired home on the volley. Reims responded and Grzegorz Krychowiak's shot from just outside the area was deflected away Modeste, who was also in action at the other end, shooting inches wide from Thauvin's ball in. Thauvin found Modeste again in the first minute of the second half, this time unmarked in the area, but with only Kossi Agassa to beat the keeper came out on top. But Thauvin himself doubled Bastia's lead two minutes later, rocketing home a shot into the roof of the net after the ball broke to him. The visitors threatened again when Modeste played in the impressive Thauvin, but Agassa kept out his shot. And Reims got one back in the 63rd minute with Courtet converting Diego's excellent right-wing cross with a low finish. They were unable to carve out a chance for an equaliser, though, and it was Bastia who came closest to netting again only for Modeste to volley against a post from inside the area with Agassa beaten.
