![]() Akinfeev was just 23-years-old back then and looked a very lucrative long term investment. The Russians held a 3-1 lead in Manchester with six minutes to go, before Scholes and Antonio Valencia made it 3-3 and saved a point. Those rumours only grew after Akinfeev's brilliant game at Old Trafford, which also happened to be Leonid Slutsky's European debut as CSKA coach. He was very impressive."Įdwin van der Sar's future in Manchester was uncertain those days, and numerous reports claimed that the Russian was singled out by Fergie as his potential replacement. Two weeks before that, he produced a fine performance in the 1-0 defeat at the hands of United at Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, and Alex Ferguson remarked: "I thought the goalkeeper was outstanding. ![]() A clean sheet will enable him to overtake Dasayev and stop the bleeding in Europe once and for all, while it will also be an emotional return to the stadium that could have once become his home.Īkinfeev's previous visit to the Theatre of Dreams occurred exactly six years ago on Nov. ![]() Since then, United haven't found the net in goalless draws against Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace, and now Akinfeev arrives at Old Trafford with two things in mind. Ironically, that happened to be the last goal scored by Louis van Gaal's team. The keeper reserved special attention for Zoran Tosic who failed to close down his zone properly. The Red Devils rarely threatened and were mercilessly criticised by former star Paul Scholes who claimed that that "there was no quality and no movement" in their game as they drew 1-1.Īt a certain stage, the Army Men looked on their way to a comfortable win, but then United got the equaliser through Anthony Martial and Akinfeev was absolutely furious. That is why CSKA captain was so glad to witness a very lukewarm Manchester United performance two weeks ago at Khimki Arena. The Gunners should have scored quite a few times that evening but for the inspired performance by Akinfeev. Luck was very much on his side on that occasion, but it completely deserted him thereafter.Īkinfeev conceded in two subsequent Champions League games in 2006, and then in three matches in 2007-08 10 in 2009-10 when CSKA sensationally reached the quarterfinals six in 2013-14 six more last season and seven more this term, including during four fixtures in the qualifiers.įrustration kept growing with every game, and has lately become unbearable. Nine long years have passed since CSKA somehow managed to salvage a goalless draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. However, at the same time, Akinfeev has proved unable to stop conceding goals in the Champions League, adding game after game to the all-time European record that now stands at 34 matches in a row dating back to November 2006. He has now managed not to concede a goal in no less than 232 games, which is an astonishing feat for a keeper who will only celebrate his 30th birthday next April. ![]() ![]() On Saturday, when CSKA beat lowly Ufa 2-0 to extend their lead at the top of Russian Premier League to a whopping nine points, Akinfeev equalled the domestic record of legendary Rinat Dasayev. On Tuesday at Old Trafford, Igor Akinfeev will be a man on a mission as the CSKA goalkeeper aspires to set a remarkable and long-awaited record, while putting an end to an equally remarkable but extremely unwanted one. Igor Akinfeev desperate to keep a clean sheet against Man United You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser ![]()
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