Maminov to miss out for Lokomotiv
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Article summary
FC Lokomotiv Moskva's chances of success in Saturday's showdown for second place against FC Spartak Moskva have been hit by Vladimir Maminov's injury.
Article body
Huge match
The 31-year-old was hurt in training in the southern Russian town of Sochi, where Lokomotiv are preparing for the showdown with Spartak on the final day of the Russian Premier-Liga season. Whoever wins that contest will earn a place in UEFA Champions League qualifying behind newly-crowned champions PFC CSKA Moskva.
Spartak advantage
Both teams have 55 points from 29 games, but if the match is drawn Spartak will take second spot by virtue of having more wins over the campaign. The onus is therefore on visitors Lokomotiv to go for the victory, but their chances are now hampered by the loss of Maminov.
UEFA Cup absence
He will also miss Lokomotiv's remaining two UEFA Cup group-stage games against Brøndby IF and Maccabi Petach-Tikva FC, with the club having collected just one point from their first two matches. "He will need four to six weeks to recover," said Lokomotiv doctor Saveli Myshalov. Lokomotiv may also be without defensive midfielder Francisco Lima, with the Brazilian having remained in Moscow to deal with private matters.
