CSKA goalkeeper Sergey Chepchugov has a made a fine appearance in the game against Spartak Moscow after first-choice goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev sustained an injury, said Stanislav Cherchesov in his interview with R-Sport agency.

Akinfeev sustained the injury in a collision with opposing striker Welliton during PFC CSKA Moscow’s 2-2 draw with city rivals FC Spartak Moscow on Sunday. Substitute goalkeeper Chepchugov, 26, spent 60 minutes on field and missed two goals, including a far shot of Spartak striker Emmanuel Emenike.

“It is hard to judge as far as I did not see a close up. That was a fine shot, but I still think it could have been saved. Chepchugov made a save some moments before, but not in this situation. In any case,  I believe that he made a fine appearance as he stepped in at an important moment and performed confidently”, said Cherchesov in a phone interview.

Stanislav Cherchesov was at the Luzhniki stadium, but did not see the situation which led to Akinfeev’s injury.

“It is very sad that Russian international goalkeeper suffered an injury before important qualification games. I don’t know if Welliton had a malicious intent, but that this was not the first case when goalkeepers sustain serious injuries in collisions with Welliton gives way to speculations. This might cause potential negativism, although there might have not been any malicious intent”, said Cherchesov.

According to the former FC Spartak Moscow coach, the game became spectacular only after Spartak scored just second before the first half end whistle.

“One of the teams had to score for the game to begin, because the opponents performed too carefully and respectful to each other in the first half. This might be excusable for Spartak, that suffered a painful defeat in Europe League. But CSKA did not take the advantage of that. There was nothing serious in the first half except for Akinfeev injury and a pole shot of Zoran Tosic. The things changed only  after Spartak had scored. CSKA started to have scoring opportunities and spectacular game began in the second half”, stated Cherchesov.