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AKINFEEV GETTING READU FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DECIDER
Sport Express correspondent talked to the best
goalkeeper of the Russian championship Igor Akinfeev during CSKA's preparations
for the Champions League decider against Besiktas.
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Igor Akinfeev Photo SPORT EXPRESS
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The Russian international has been voted the best goalkeeper
of the Russian Premier League season-2009 according to Sport Express.
The domestic season is over, however Igor admits that the season has not
finished yet since CSKA is preparing for the Champions League crucial
match against Besiktas in Belek.
"If I am not mistaken the game in Belek will be the 52nd for me this
season", said Akinfeev. "It's difficult to play without substitutions,
though it's always better than waiting when you are given a chance to
play".
"Of course, not all matches are successful, sometimes we make mistakes,
which lead to painful losses, but if you are a professional, you have
no right to complain on defeats or tiredness".
"If you enter the pitch, you must give 100% to football and only
in this case you will get pleasure from it".
"I often show my best in autumn when other players are already exhausted
by a tough season. I think it is connected with the fact that the whole
team always plays brilliantly in this time of the year".
"I can't explain it, but frankly speaking it's not very good that
one time of year is successful for you while other is bad. Stable performance
throughout the whole season is more effective and we should strive for
it".
"From the point of view of football, autumn is really very interesting
time, because it's time of decisive matches both in the Russian championship
and European competitions. And the national team decides the main tasks
in qualifying campaigns of prestigious tournaments".
"CSKA's victory against Besiktas and advance to the Champions League
play-off stage could compensate for the Russian national side's loss in
Maribor. But I don't want to divide up the bearskin before the bear is
shot".
"Now we should get ready for the match in Istanbul to make a worthy
end of the season".
"I didn't win Russian medals for the first time in my career in CSKA
and naturally I am upset. We always fight for the gold and really didn't
descend lower than the third place, but it should motivate us next year".
"I want to believe that this season will become some kind of transitional
one and the team will return to our usual positions next season. The fifth
place is not interesting for CSKA".
Sport
Express Daily, 04 Dec 2009
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