Akinfeev injured in CSKA – Spartak derby, sidelined for Russia’s Euro-2012 qualifiers

CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was substituted in the 29th minute of the Russian Premier League matchday 22 game against Spartak Moscow (2:2).

The player who is also the first-choice goalkeeper for the Russian national team collided with the forward of the Red-and-Whites Welliton and landed awkwardly causing an injury to his left knee. Akinfeev immediately asked for a substitution and was carried away from the field on a stretcher. The precise diagnosis is yet to be made.

According to CSKA head coach Leonid Slutsky, the keeper may well be sidelined for six months. In any case, he will definitely miss Russia’s Euro-2012 qualifiers against Macedonia (September 2) and Ireland (September 6).

Dynamo Moscow goalkeeper Anton Shunin was already called up to the national team instead of Akinfeev, the other two goalies in Russia’s squad being Zenit’s Vyacheslav Malafeev and Rubin’s Sergey Ryzhikov.

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