On the 16th day of Ligue 1, Ajaccio is set to face Bastia in a Corsican derby, but the match will take place on neutral ground and behind closed doors for the second time this season. The fixture was relocated to Istres following clashes that occurred in the previous encounter last March. The two teams are currently separated by fourteen points in the league standings, with Ajaccio striving for reassurance and Bastia aiming to accelerate their performance.
Ajaccio has faced a challenging season, having won only once and not scored against Sporting in over four years. Mehdi Mostefa, the Algerian midfielder for Ajaccio, acknowledged the delicate situation they are in and highlighted the impact of results on the players. Mostefa emphasized that the match is more than just a game; it is about the survival of the team in the championship.
Expressing the emotional toll on the players, Mostefa stated, “We often talk about the supporters or the people around the club, but the first affected by the results are the players. When we return home, to our families, we are dejected. It’s more than a match; it’s our survival that we’re playing for.” Mostefa stressed the importance of being fully focused, recognizing the potential consequences of sinking to the bottom of the rankings, making the situation extremely difficult for the team.
