Winning return for Nantes

Nantes made a winning return to Ligue 1 thanks to a 2-0 home victory over Bastia.

A goal by Filip Djordjevic and a Julian Palmieri own goal saw Nantes claim victory over Bastia in their first match back in Ligue 1 as both teams finished the opening match of the season with 10 men. Djordjevic put the hosts ahead after 24 minutes before Palmieri's unfortunate intervention sealed victory in injury time. It was the first time Nantes had played in the top flight since their relegation in 2009 and they made the ideal start with three points. It was all Nantes in a first half they dominated. Djordjevic produced a stunning volley which Mickael Landreau thwarted only for the hosts to go ahead midway through the half and this time Djordjevic would not be denied. Serge Gakpe found the Serbia striker who made no mistake by beating the keeper with a close-range shot. Nantes almost doubled their lead in first half injury-time with Gakpe unmarked in front of goal but his low drive was thwarted by Landreau. Bastia finally had an effort on goal when Cladiu Keseru fired just over the bar and their hopes of forcing an equaliser were given a helping hand when Jordan Veretout was given a second yellow card for arguing with the referee. However, Bastia themselves were reduced to 10 men when Araujo Ilan was sent off for violent conduct. Keseru fired inches wide again from the edge of the penalty area as Bastia desperately searched for an equaliser. They were undone though in injury time when Nantes substitute Fernando Aristeguieta attempted to find Georges Nkoudou Mbinda only for Palmieri to deflect the ball into his own net.