Bastia edged out Monaco 7-6 on penalties to reach the final of the Coupe de la Ligue at Stade Louis II this evening.
Neither side were able to find the breakthrough with a goalless draw after 120 minutes, but it was the visitors who held their nerve in the shootout.
The visitors saw a good opening go begging in the first period when debutant Giovanni Sio couldn't quite get a touch on a delivery into the box.
Anthony Martial and Bernardo Silva combined for the home side but the latter could only blaze his effort over the bar after good control.
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Monaco's best chance of the half came before the half-hour mark when the ball broke to Dimitar Berbatov after a good burst from Martial.
However, the Bulgarian could only fire straight at Bastia goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Bastia had Drissa Diakite to thank for keeping Monaco at bay as the defender thwarted a wonderful move.
The lively Martial should have seen his work rewarded with the opening goal after the hour mark, but no-one had made the run to turn his dangerous low cross into the net.
Julian Palmieri had Bastia's best chance of the second period but the midfielder's header was well saved by Maarten Stekelenburg in the Monaco goal.
In extra time, on-loan Paris Saint-Germain striker Hervin Ongenda began to cause problems for Monaco and he linked up a couple of times with Sio as Bastia looked the most likely to break the deadlock in the added period.
However, after 210 minutes without a goal between the pair, it was penalties which was to decide the tie and it was debutant Sio who missed a crucial spot kick before Layvin Kurzawa put Monaco within touching distance of the final.
Joao Moutinho missed his penalty though, and the game went to sudden death which was eventually won thanks to Sebastien Squillaci.
Paul Gorst
