Match Focus: The Corsican Derby - Ajaccio vs Bastia

When Bastia won promotion back to Ligue 1 one of the most exciting prospects for this season was the return of the Corsican derby. It has been seven years since the island derby featured in the top division, and back then Mamadou Seck’s first half header was enough for Ajaccio to win the match 1-0.

Sunday afternoon’s game will be the 32nd meeting between the two clubs and although Ajaccio will be at home, history points towards Bastia starting favourites. With 16 wins and 43 goals in said encounters the Ligue 2 champions will be looking to leave the Stade Francois Coty with maximum points. In fact Seck’s winner back in 2005 was the last time Ajaccio beat Bastia at home. In the last four meetings in Ligue 2 Ajaccio have only won a solitary point, so can Alex Dupont turn around l’ACA’s fortunes? Here are the main match-ups that will determine Sunday’s high-pressure derby.

Carl Medjani (ACA) v Anthony Modeste (Bastia)

For Ajaccio to come away from this game with anything they will need to stop the goal-machine that is Anthony Modeste. After a woeful time at both Bordeaux and Blackburn the 24-year old has finally found his shooting boots in Ligue 1. Constantly finding himself in shooting positions, he has scored four goals from 35 shots this season. Although his conversation rate is not the best he is still making the right moves in the right areas, and averaging 4.4 shots a game, if you don’t shut him down then he will likely find the back of the net.

This is where Medjani must be at his best. The 27-year old Algerian has been an ever present in the Ajaccio defence so far this season and one of the top defenders in the league so far. To stop the threat of Modeste the best thing Medjani can do is to try and stop the striker getting the ball. An average of 7.6 clearances a game - the 11th best in Ligue 1 amongst centre-backs - alongside Yohan Poulard, who averages 9.4 in his own right, should lead to a great battle against the strength of Modeste.

The former Angers striker has also been strong in the air this season and up against Medjani, it could be an excellent contest. The defender has won an average of 1.5 aerial duels a game, winning 12 of the 17 aerial battles he’s faced this season (71%). However, Modeste is no aerial slouch, winning 23 of his 59 aerial battles, with an average of 2.9 a game. When the unstoppable force meets the immoveable object, something has to give.

Ricardo Faty (ACA) v Jerome Rothen (Bastia)

One of Ajaccio’s highlights this season has been the play of midfielder Ricardo Faty. Impressive for Greek side Aris Salonica, Faty made his return to France this summer and the former Strasbourg and Nantes midfielder has hit the ground running. Instrumental in the draws against Paris Saint-Germain and Bordeaux, he was also commanding in the 2-0 win over Evian.

Only Carl Medjani and fellow midfielder Mehdi Mostefa see more of the ball than Faty, with 41.8 passes per game, and he has also had some success with long range passing, averaging 3.1 long balls a game. He is useful going forward but his main strength is undoubtedly patrolling in front of the defence.

This season he is averaging 2.9 tackles, 2 interceptions and 4 clearances per game, and his long stride, strong physique and ability to read the game makes him the perfect player to try and stop the productivity of Bastia’s talisman Jerome Rothen.

On average, Rothen makes eight more passes than anyone else in the Bastia team, and when you let someone of his ability make that many passes, you are going to get yourself into trouble. His average of 3.5 key passes per game has led to two assists this season and the vastly experienced player, with spells at Monaco and PSG under his belt, now plays deeper in the midfield to use his passing expertise to devastating effect.

If Ajaccio are to stop Bastia providing service for Modeste and Toifilou Maoulida then they need to stop Rothen, who is averaging 2.9 accurate crosses and 4.4 long balls a game. This is where Faty comes in. The Ajaccio midfielder will need to work with Mostefa and watch Rothen’s movement, as if he is given too much time the ability Rothen possesses could prove to be a key element in a Bastia victory.

Ajaccio start the game with a slender one point lead in the table over their rivals but they will need to be clinical in front of goal if they are to come out of this game with any points. New striker Adrian Mutu may need to be at his best. Only Brest have averaged less shots on target than Ajaccio this season, whereas Bastia average 1.5 more shots on target per game than their rivals.

Of course, when it comes to derby matches form is often thrown out the window. This is about a passionate island going to battle for bragging rights. It should be an excellent game, and the team that wins the match-ups in key areas should be the one that comes out on top.