Russia’s Akenfeev, who is also a goalkeeper for CSKA Moscow FC, announced on October 1 his decision to withdraw from playing for the national team. The Russian national football team boasts a strong line-up of goalkeepers to replace Igor Akenfeev, who decided to pack up with his national career team earlier this month, chief executive Stanislav Cherchesov said Monday. Russia’s Akenfeev, who is also a goalkeeper for CSKA Moscow FC, announced on October 1 his decision to withdraw from playing for the national team. He started playing for the national team on April 28, 2004, in a friendly match against Norway, becoming the youngest player to debut at the national team at the age of 18 years and 20 days.
“We are looking at everything in an operational state,” Cherchesov said to speak in front of this week’s UEFA Nations League match against Sweden. “Alexander Lunev was good during the previous training camp, and he is still good at this training camp,” said Cherchesov. “Marinato Guilherme plays in the Champions League and Anton Shunin enjoys a good season. The team is the team… We are convinced in everybody, and there is no doubt about that,” added Cherchesov.
The match between the Russian and Swedish national teams is scheduled to be played on October 11th at the capacity of more than 35,000 seats in Russia’s westernmost city, Kaliningrad, hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup, starting at. 9.45 local time (19:45 GMT).
Three days later, October 14, Russia is scheduled to play the UEFA Nations League’s second leg battle against Turkey with it over 44,200 seats Fisht Stadium in Russia’s southern city of Sochi. There have already been sold 26,000 tickets for the match in Sochi, starting at 19:00 local time Sunday (16:00 GMT). Last month Russia defeated Turkey 2-1 in the first leg in the UEFA Nations League. The match was played in Turkey’s Trabzon on the over 43,000 seats Senol Gunes Stadium.