Bastia vs Evian preview - Printant pleads patience over Cisse

Posted Tuesday, December 02, 2014 by PA

Bastia coach Ghislain Printant will not rush Djibril Cisse back into action even though his side are desperate for goals.

The Corsicans, second bottom in the Ligue 1 table, have scored only 12 goals in 15 matches this season but, although Printant said Cisse was back in training after recent back and groin troubles, the coach has left him out of the squad for Wednesday's meeting with Evian.

"Djibril will not be in the group," Printant said in his pre-match press conference. "He feels ready but it is my decision."

Cisse has been restricted to just four substitute appearances this season, but has scored two goals.

Printant was last week named coach until the end of the season, having initially stepped up the wake of Claude Makelele's sacking.

Having overseen a win over Montpellier and a draw with Lyon while caretaker, he was unable to win his first match in full charge of the squad, losing 2-1 to Reims, but is optimistic about the future

"Yes, we made mistakes in Reims and we must accept them," he said. "We make a quick return to action with this match and the most important thing is not to repeat those mistakes.

"In any case, the players did not have different mindset from Montpellier or Lyon. The page is turned."

While Printant has chosen not to use Cisse, the absence of Sebastien Squillaci, Drissa Diakite (both suspended), Juan Pablo Pino and Junior Tallo (both groin) are enforced.

Bastia sit in the bottom three while Evian are only two points and three places better off in 16th, having moved above Wednesday's hosts with a 2-0 victory over Guingamp - their second straight win.

Nicki Bille Nielsen, a summer signing from Rosenborg, scored his first goal for the club in the match, and is now hoping to go on a scoring run after a frustrating start in Ligue 1.

"I'm really happy to have scored," he said on the club's website. "It is very important for a striker. It gives me confidence for the future."