The athlete first played for the main team exactly 17 years ago - on May 31, 2003. In the match against “Wings of the Soviets” in Samara, young Akinfeev parried a penalty from Andrei Karjaka and left his goal dry (2: 0). Jiri Yaroshik and Bogdan Shershun distinguished themselves for CSKA.
The 17-year-old Akinfeev was then included by the mentor Valery Gazzayev in the starting protocol due to the illness of the main goalkeeper Veniamin Mandrykin. According to Akinfeev, he “got a little bit crazy” when he heard his name on the pre-match setup.
"It was really hot. Gazzaev a day before the game called and said: "Perhaps you will play." Remembering that command, there should not have been any unrest. Must go out and beat everyone. Fortunately, I managed, the guys helped. And in the end a miracle happened. I really think this is a miracle. Lucky. If Karjaka would have hit a little to the right, ”Akinfeev said in an interview with CSKA on Youtube.
Earlier it was reported that Rubin will accept opponents at the Ak Bars Arena after the resumption of the season.