Paris Saint-Germain retained the French Coupe de la Ligue after comfortably beating 10 man Bastia at the Stade de France.

Pre-Match:

In the run up to the final, the focus was away from the weekend's event as all eyes were set on PSG striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic's future suspension. However, it was certain that the legendary Swede would be appearing against the fighting Corsicans, who had defeated the champions already this season. 

Bastia manager, Ghislain Printant, surprised everyone when he left out the tournement's top scorer, Djibril Cisse, from the squad. Whereas Brandao was included, returning from a lengthy suspension after he jabbed PSG's Thiago Motta after a previous fixture.

Included in the starting 11 for Bastia was on-loan PSG 'keeper, Alphonse Areola. The 22-year-old has been impressive this season for his temporary club and was instrumental in his side progression to the final. His side were confident going into the match, with some in the Corsican camp saying the final was already won by Bastia.

At the heart of the Bastia squad were five players who were born on the island. PSG included the familiar Ibrahimovic up front before he starts his suspension. Serge Aurier also started for the champions, in a season whose name hasn't been in lights since his move from Toulouse.

First-half:

There were early match nerves from both sides after the referee, Benoit Bastien, started the game in the capital. Bastia arguably had the better chances of the teams, even though the possession stats were against them. Sébastien Squillaci and Giovanni Sio both had promising headers hit over the bar. 

The early Bastia pressure was to be momentarily halted as Thiago Silva received treatment after being accidently stamped on by Squillaci when he landed from a jump. The Brazilian centre-back went off for treatment and was again grounded upon his return by Sio. 

There was an early penalty call by PSG as the ball appeared to have struck Danic on the arm inside the area. 

However PSG were soon to be in front from the penalty spot as Squillaci fouled Lavezzi in the box. The defender was sent packing by the referee who sent him off, much to the dismay of the Bastia manager. Ibrahimovic was given the task of taking the penalty, and slotted the ball perfectly to the left of the goal.

The difficult task for Bastia had just got even greater. The losing side decided to tighten up at the back by bringing on defender, Mathieu Peybernes, for midfielder, Danic. 

Another piece of Ibrahimovic brilliance doubled PSG's lead a few minutes shy of the half-time interval. A poor defensive clearance by Bastia fell to the scorer on the edge of the box who smashed the ball to the left of Areola.

Into added time before the break, Areola was made to work as he denied Lavezzi one-on-one with an impressive stop to prevent a three goal cushion.

Second half: 

PSG continued their dominance in the second half and Javier Pastore tried to get in on the action from the off as he forced Areola to make a save from his left-footed strike. The leaders were looking to put the game to bed and making sure another Bastia comeback wasn't on the cards.

Bastia offered little in attack and striker Sio was isolated for the most part. The closest his side came was a free-kick, which Florian Marange headed from and saw narrowly go past the post. 

With the game all but wrapped up, it looked like PSG were looking ahead to their Champions League tie with Barcelona as they replaced Lavezzi with Cavani mid-way through the second half. 

Cavani got involved in the match right away, with the final being an ideal place to win over some of his critics. However his first chance at Areola's goal was unsuccessful as the keeper pulled off another great save. 

PSG were given a massive scare as Floyd Ayite's shot on goal was deflected by substitute, Peybernes, and had to be cleared off the line by Thiago Silva. 

Les Parisiens responded immediately with Cavani getting the better of Areola on his second attempt. Serge Aurier, however, was the star of the goal as his magnificent nonchalant cross was met by the scorer who got in front of his marker to head home. 

Feeling the game would be over them, Bastia brought on the pantomime villain Brandao for Sio for the last few minutes. His entrance into the game was met with boos and jeers from each side of the stadium. 

However, it was to PSG who would have the last laugh as they went four goals in front with Cavani getting his second of the evening. Zlatan Ibrahimovic played architect as he timed and weighted the perfect pass to the running Cavani, who collected the ball and stuck it to the bottom right corner of the goal. 

Post Match:

PSG have kept the Coupe de la Ligue in the capital for another year but the question still remains with how vital Zlatan Ibrahimovic is for the champions. They come up against Barcelona and without their main man up top, they could be in for a tough night. Football is a strange old world as people said previously that PSG perform better without the Swedish striker, now the opposite is being peddled. 

For Bastia, it's just another unfortunate night. The game was killed off for them after they were put down to ten men and conceeded from the penalty. The fans, to their credit, backed them the full match and were colourful throughout. They are nearing safety in Ligue 1 but they know they still have a lot to do to confirm it.