Akinfeev facing six months out with knee injury
Sunday, August 28, 2011
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Igor Akinfeev looks set to miss the rest of Russia's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers after sustaining a suspected cruciate ligament injury in his left knee while playing for PFC CSKA Moskva.
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Russia are reacting to the news that first-choice goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev is expected to be out for around six months with a suspected cruciate ligament injury in his left knee.
Akinfeev, 25, sustained the injury in a collision with opposing striker Welliton during PFC CSKA Moskva's 2-2 draw with city rivals FC Spartak Moskva on Sunday. The diagnosis will be confirmed in the coming days, but CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky said after the game: "Judging by the mechanics of the injury and the symptoms, Akinfeev has ruptured cruciate ligaments."
Capped 50 times by his country, Akinfeev has been a key part of Russia's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign but is set to miss their remaining games against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Ireland, Slovakia and Andorra. The news will also come as a blow to his club side, who will be without their No1 for the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Russia host FYROM on 2 September and the Republic of Ireland four days later, while CSKA were drawn in UEFA Champions League Group B alongside FC Internazionale Milano, LOSC Lille Métropole and Trabzonspor AŞ.
